Esther Saucier Adams

Esther Saucier Adams, age 87, of Pass Christian, died Thursday, September 23, 2010 in Pass Christian. She was of the Catholic faith.

She was born December 8, 1922 in DeLisle. She attended DeLisle Elementary and Pass Christian High School, graduating in 1941. She moved to Gulfport to work and enjoy the Coast's social activities of that period and times. This included the USO sponsored dances in the area, and dancing was one of her lifelong pleasures. During a USO sponsored dance event at the Gulfport Community House, Esther met Thomas, an Air Corps soldier from Virginia and they were married on June 30, 1943 at St. John's Catholic Church in Gulfport.

As a military wife Esther accompanied Tom to several training bases prior to his overseas assignment. After World War II and as a wife and mother, she was the best half of their 25 year Air Force career. She established homes in nine states and enjoyed two overseas locations in the Philippines and Newfoundland Islands.

Esther was active in the military family support functions, a hospital Gray Lady, Girl Scout Leader, Teen Club Sponsor, Thrift Shop Chairperson, and elected positions in Officers' Wives Clubs. She began membership in the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in 1953 and especially enjoyed the activities of the Coast's chapters on into her elder years.

In 1966 following retirement from their active duty, Esther returned to her home community. She had all the pleasures of a new permanent home, being with family and friends, the St. Paul Church functions, Carnival Balls, and parades, St. Paul Elementary School activities, Pass High PTA and Alumni Association's events, "Kith and Kin" Cruises, DeLisle Good-Timers Dinner Dances, and all the ballroom dances every Saturday night up and down the Coast. She spoke sadly of the loss of these fund raisers sponsored at the school halls and service clubs.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tina Marie Adams; her parents, Joseph Gabriel and Clarice Lizana Saucier; a sister, Evelyn Ruth Saucier; and a brother, Albert Gabriel Saucier.

Esther is survived by her husband, Thomas Adams, daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and Ken Koonce of Fayetteville, NC; a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Donna Adams, III of Savannah, GA; and a granddaughter, Erica Frink of Orlando, FL.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 12:45 p.m. at Holy Family Parish Church in Pineville where friends may visit from 11:30 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

The family prefers memorials to Alzheimer's Association, Mississippi Chapter, 1900 Dunbarton Drive, Suite H, Jackson, MS 39216, or International Essential Tremor Foundation, P.O. Box 14005, Lenexa, KS 66285-4005, or one's favorite charity.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.

View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.