Mary Lestrade

Mary Ellen Hargon Lestrade “MeMe”, 81, of Escatawpa, MS passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024 in Pascagoula, MS.

She was born in Meridian, MS, February 2nd, 1943. After the passing of her parents, Mary Ellen moved to Jackson to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Cooper Corbitt and their growing family. Mary Ellen graduated from St Joseph Catholic High School in 1961. She later moved to Houma, LA, to live with her other sister and brother-in-law, Norma Clair (Tot) and Frank Barrett. There she attended the Terrebonne Business School. She cherished the times with all of her nieces and nephews, building ties and shaping lives.

Mary Ellen loved people. She loved her family; she loved her vast extended family. She was welcoming to all; regardless of how you were gained into the family, she was accepting and inclusive. She also loved her church family and the opportunity to serve through various parishes, committees, and faith groups along the coast. She served many a meal from the St. James cafeteria and the Dedeaux Hilton supporting church bazaars, Cursillo, and ACTS retreats.  She loved telling stories, playing ten little piggies and making her grand and great grandkids squeal with joy.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Ed and Norma Hargon; her siblings, Edward Earl Hargon, Jr., John LaRue (Bubba) Hargon, Robert (Bobby) Hargon, Norma Clair Barrett, Jane E. Corbitt and Patrick J. Hargon.

She is survived by her husband, Oscar P. Lestrade, Jr.; her children, Kevin L. Kirby (Beth), Dawn Kirby, Patrick W. Kirby (Shannon), Jeff Kirby (Robyn), Leah Tharp (Will), Oscar P. Lestrade, III (Pam), Frank Lestrade (Michael), Tom Lestrade, Martha Galle, Ernie Lestrade (Dawn) and Mary Elizabeth; her grandchildren, Christa Gaumer (Gabriel), Mallory Myers (Jeremy), Sarah Whiteside (Cameron), Robert Kirby (Sarah), Patrick M. Kirby, Michael Kirby (Paola), Steven Kirby (Caroline), Joseph Kirby, Taylor Morgan, Thomas Kirby, Catherine Kirby, Damian Kirby, Grace Kirby, Anne Kirby, Ben Kirby, Nick Kirby, Nathan Kirby, Samuel Kirby, Lily Anne Kirby, Robert Tharp, Josephine Tharp, Kay-Lee Tharp, Megan Lestrade, Joshua Lestrade, Stephan Lestrade (Caroline), Gabrielle Lestrade, Shawn Galle, Haven Galle, Christian Moore (Zoe), Shelby Ranager (Jacob) and Jillian Lestrade; 19 great grandchildren and her pet, Bullet.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church, Cowan Road, Gulfport. A reception will follow.

The family prefers donations to St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1228, Biloxi, MS 39533.