Jan. 7, 1932 – May 21, 2019

NATCHEZ— Memorial services for Mary Evelyn Berret, 87, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at St. Dominic Medical Center in Jackson, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.
Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Mrs. Berret was born Jan. 7, 1932, in Dennard, Ark., the daughter of Melvin and Oma Crow LeCroy.
As part of the great westward migration, Mary spent much of her childhood moving from place to place. She lived briefly in Washington state and attended junior high school in Salt Lake City, Utah. In high school, she attended four schools in four years, beginning with San Francisco, then Panama City, Fla., and on to Bastrop, La. As a senior, her family moved to Natchez as part of the International Paper Company family, and Natchez became her forever home.
Berret was a talented and intelligent person. Professionally, she was an x-ray technician at Natchez Charity Hospital and Jefferson Davis Memorial Hospital. She was best known for work in the medical supply business.
She had a strong love for animals and also loved to garden and cook. She loved to collect cookbooks and thoroughly enjoyed landscaping. She especially enjoyed her fountains and koi ponds. She loved to shop for and collect antiques, which were displayed throughout her home and lovingly referred to as “my pretties.” She was a proud, active member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club.
Berret was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Robert Edwin Berret; her parents; stepfather, Jesse P. “Pete” Smith; one sister, Sue LeCroy Boyd; and one son, Jeffrey P. Thomas.
Survivors include one son, Carl Thomas and wife, Paula, of Paoli, Pa; two daughters, Cheryl Thomas Laughinghouse and husband, Terry, of Springdale, Ark., and Robin Emily Berret of Dallas; three grandchildren, Drew Laughinghouse and wife, Brooke, of Dardanelle, Ark., Sara Evelyn Laughinghouse of Fayetteville, Ark., and Jessica Thomas Snyder and husband, Mike, of Ridgeland; and a number of dear friends.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.