Lillie Jane Ladner

Lillie Jane Ladner, 72, passed away on October 09, 2022. The third of seven children born on June 08, 1950, to Earon "the Buck" Paul and Merlena Nettie (Cuevas) Ladner, she grew up in Dedeaux community of rural Hancock county and attended school at North Central. In her youth, Lillie was a simple country girl who loved to sit under a shade tree and read. She married her soul mate, John D. Ladner in 1964, also known as “JD”, but many also knew him as “Cotton”. They made their home and raised their family in Dedeaux, as well. She worked twenty+ years at Maybelle’s Clothing Manufacturer in Gulfport, until the business closed in the early 90’s. She then worked with her sister in childcare. Later she enjoyed working at Hudson’s in Gulfport for several years, until she took a job at a local community convenient store. There she enjoyed the daily interactions with the community, and her Husband would spend hours-on-end with her at the store because he didn’t want her to be there alone. She is remembered as a devoted family woman, who loved surrounding herself with family and friends, as she whole heartedly believed that her inner circle had no boundaries. For many years, she, and JD owned horses for which their children competed in barrel racing, pole bending and other events like the Team Pick-Up.  It also brought her an abundance of happiness that her Brother, Donald Ray shared a great deal of love and time nurturing and training her racehorses. Both dedicated and involved, almost never missing a school game, horseshow, or race, she had a cheer that was unmistakable. This is certain, as everyone always knew where she was sitting in the stand, or on the outer arena, because her “GO!! – GO!! – GO!!” was loud and proud. Lillie also enjoyed family potluck get-togethers, especially under the shade trees. A little music and eventually some dancing would top the evening off. These get-togethers were so special to her. In her younger days, Lillie enjoyed doing the twist with her sister, Margie, and the two-step with JD. She would even “cut-a-rug” with a jitter bug from time to time. Lillie’s first of eight grandchildren, Tiffany, was her crowning level of love which grew to include, Scott, Frankie, Ronnie, River, Seth, Brendalyn and Jakob.  A loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she will be forever missed by all who knew and loved her. Lillie is preceded by many loved ones. Among them, but most of which is her husband of 45 years (at the time of his passing), John "JD” Ladner; her parents; her sisters, Margie Stapleton and Margaret Ladner, her brothers, Donald Ray and Paul (Bette) Ladner; her Mother and Father In-law, Nean and Christine Ladner; sister-in-law Bettye Joyce Ladner; brothers-in-law, JD Dedeaux and Wesley ‘Pete’ Ladner; and her late companion, Kenny. Left to cherish her memories are: her children, the youngest of four and only daughter Brenda (Leo) Wood of Smithville, and her three sons John (Wanda) Ladner of Dedeaux, Frankie (Stacey) Ladner of Rocky Hill, and David (Olivia) Ladner of Saucier; her two remaining siblings: Terrell “Terry” Ladner (Brittany Smith) of Saucier, Dyrene (Donnie) Owens of Gulfport; and a special mention of her four ‘additional babies’. Lillie also leaves a legacy of  six great-grandchildren, along with numerous extended family, friends, and neighbors through the years. Visitation will be held beginning at 6:00 PM Friday evening, October 14th at McHenry Community Center located on Old Hwy 49 at 83 McHenry Avenue. The funeral service will begin at 10:00 AM Saturday morning, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dedeaux. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery at Rotten Bayou in Diamondhead, MS. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Ladner family in their time of need and asks that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.