Mary Ida Loris

Mary Ida Loris

June 15, 1927 - January 19, 2023

Mary Ida Rowell Loris, 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 19,2023.  

Mary, a long term resident of Pascagoula MS, was born in Enterprise, Mississippi on June 15, 1927. She was one of five children of Julius Hugh and Ethel Stella Lawson Rowell. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Loris, Sr., her parents, her sisters, Opal Pierce and Myrtle Bennett, her brother, William Rowell, grandson, Seth Bemis and granddaughter, Sophie Loris.

Mary is survived by her beloved sister, Julie Wright, her five children: Michael Bruce (Lisa) Bemis, Stanley Earl Bemis, Johnette Loris Watson, James Edward (Amber) Loris, Jr. and William Casey (Martha) Loris, 9 surviving grandchildren: Justin (Mai) Vaughn, Maggie Bemis, Katie (Justin) Franklin, Theresa (Drew) Newquist, John Loris, Cullen Whetstone, Hayden (Anna) Whetstone, Carley Whetstone, and Lauren Loris, 7 great-grandchildren and numerous loved nieces and nephews.  

Mary graduated from Pachuta High School and moved from Enterprise to the Gulf Coast in 1941 with her mother, brother and sisters. She worked numerous jobs while starting to build a life. She married her soul mate on December 12, 1958, and they built a wonderful life for their family in Pascagoula, MS. James and Mary (known as Hot Lips by her friends) enjoyed traveling with their friends and family, weekly Bourré games that would go into the early mornings and camping trips to Panama City, FL. She also enjoyed reading, crosswords, her and James’ annual bowling tournaments to Fort Walton Beach, FL and especially going to the casinos and playing poker. She was such a beautiful woman and never looked her age. She was courted after James’ death, but she never even considered a relationship. She said, “why settle for beer when you’ve had champagne.” She always dressed to the “nines” and was a true Steel Magnolia and Southern Belle all rolled into one.

Her family would like to thank Greenbriar Nursing Center in D’Iberville, MS for their kindness, care and friendships during her stay these last several years. We will be forever grateful for their care of our treasure.

Pallbearers will be Joe Loris, Jr., Kenny Watson, Jeff Loris, Justin Vaughn, Hayden Whetstone and John Loris.

Funeral Services will be held at O’Bryant O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula, MS on February 3, 2023. Visitation will start at 1:00 PM with service in the Chapel at 3PM. There will be a short graveside service at Machpelah cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to the love of her life.

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