Sharon Balius

Sharon Marie Diaz Balius

1939 ~2013

Houston

Jesus called Marie to dance with Him in heaven for all eternity on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Marie was born in Biloxi on July 14, 1939, the youngest of three to Elinor Trochesset Diaz and Joe Diaz, sister of Adrienne Diaz Spear and Roland Diaz. Marie was preceded in death by her Husband, Joseph Balius and survived by her daughters Andrea Jelusich Crawmer and Candace Balius Adkins.

Growing up in N. Biloxi, Marie attended St. Theresa Elementary and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, receiving her R.N. diploma from Providence School of Nursing in Mobile, AL. Her nursing career included the O.R. at Howard Memorial, school nurse at St. Martin Elementary, North Shore Psych Hospital, retiring from Gulfport Memorial.

In her early years Marie was known as a daring, fun loving adventurer and risk taker with stories of jumping off Corso Bridge at midnight and letting her brother shoot apples off her head. "Re-Re" to her nieces and nephews is remembered as a cut up, always ready to take them swimming, go fishing or on any spontaneous and fun adventure.

Sources of joy included going to the river, playing cards, vacationing in Destin, FL, reading thrillers, watching sports and cooking for her family or going out for a five course meal. Favorite gifts to receive were lotions, slippers, wallets, zip robes, muumuus and yellow roses.

After Katrina, Marie and Joseph were frequently in Houston with their daughters, having moved to live there full time in 2009. What a blessing for Andrea, her husband, Bob, son Drew and Candace, her husband, Jason and daughter, Lauren. Whether attending bible study and worship service, celebrating holidays or simple family gatherings, our time was always meaningful and we rejoiced in the blessing of being together.

Marie always loved early mornings, in Houston she enjoyed daily pre-dawn swims and playing with her grandson Drew - he and "Mimi" had a very special relationship. They could play for hours in the pool with imaginary treasure hunts, while fighting off pirates, sharks, and sea serpents. Indoor baseball was a house specialty, I spy, hide-n-seek, hot wheels, war games on iPads and storytelling. Nightly prayers always capped off the day. Mimi always ended her prayers with "Jesus, Thy will be done."

We will miss her greatly and look forward to our reunion in heaven.

John 14:1-4 (NIV)

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

We are thankful for the peace we share that mom knew she was going to heaven.

Visitation will be at noon on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 2090 Pass Rd, Biloxi, MS with Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MD Anderson Ovarian Cancer Research.

http://www.mdanderson.org/how-you-can-help/ovarian-cancer-research.html

View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com