Nancy Wakefield Sonnier

Nancy Wakefield Sonnier, 62, lost her battle with cancer when she passed away peacefully with her husband and two daughters at her side on September 28, 2010 in Ocean Springs, MS. She was completely devoted to her family. Her vibrancy and loving spirit will be missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Nancy was a 1966 graduate of Lafayette High School in Lafayette, LA. After high school, she went on to attend Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA where she studied nursing. For many years, she worked as a nurse in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Monroe, LA before moving to Ocean Springs, MS in 1983. Shortly after moving to the Gulf Coast, Nancy began a career in Real Estate first as an Agent and then as a Broker. For the past several years, she has divided her time between working for Ellis Branch Realty, and serving as a Parent Advocate and Service Coordinator with the First Steps Early Intervention Program in South Mississippi assisting the families of children with special needs from birth to age three.

She was actively involved in her community. Nancy was instrumental in the formation of the Ocean Springs Friendship Civic Club serving at one time as the organization's President. She was a dedicated member of the 1699 Historical Committee for many years where she served on the Board in a variety of capacities including a term as the organization's President.

While an active member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, she served for a number of years as head of the Bereavement Committee with her husband, Jim, as well as being active in the Cursillo Movement of South Mississippi.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Ethel Wakefield and her grandson, Zane Wakefield Blalock.

She is survived by her husband Jim Sonnier; two daughters: Laurie Sonnier Blalock and her husband, Keith of Ocean Springs, MS ,and Libbie Sonnier-Netto and her husband Brett of Lafayette, LA; a grandson, Hunter Daniel Blalock of Ocean Springs, MS; and her brother, Gene Wakefield of Lafayette, LA.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude and thanks to the staff of Ocean Springs Hospital (especially the staff on 3East), Dr. Richard H. Smith of North Bay FamilyMedical, and Dr. Brian E. Persing and his staff at the Southern Cancer Center, for their compassion and unwavering commitment to her care during her four month battle with cancer.

In honor of Nancy's courageous fight against cancer, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Nancy's name to the American Cancer Society to support ongoing research into finding a cure. Donations may be mailed to the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Mid South Division Inc, Coast District Office, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39507-1922

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, 2010 from 6-9 PM at Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. when a procession will leave the funeral home for a 1 PM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS. Pallbearers will be Hunter Blalock, Ellis Branch, E.J. Couvillion, Allen Roy Ingram, Dr. Brian E. Persing, Dr. Richard H. Smith, and honorary pallbearer Johnny Kelly.

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