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Dec. 5, 1972 – Jan. 17, 2024

NATCHEZ – Graveside services for Monica Ellen McDonough-Bearden, age 51, who died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, at her residence will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at Natchez City Cemetery.  

 Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until service time on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at Laird Funeral Home.

Ms. McDonough was born on Dec. 5, 1972, in New Orleans, LA, the daughter of Patrick A. McDonough III and Sherry Ann Nettles McDonough. 

Monica attended Trinity Episcopal, Cathedral and Co-Lin Natchez, then NLU in Monroe, LA, and Charleston, SC Technical College. She worked and attended school while living in Charleston, SC, pursuing Mechanical Drawing and Design. 

A self-taught horticulturist, she studied while employed by her Aunt Betty Lou Nettles, in Natchez MS. She was occupied with many hours of landscaping and her second love, adopting homeless animals.

Ms. McDonough’s grandparents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Patrick A. McDonough Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Millard D. Nettles Jr.

Even with her severe impediments, Monica’s strength and drive enabled her to persevere long into her years, caring for her plants and animals. She loved collecting recipes and directing her friends in her kitchen. Music was a soothing passion. 

Monica attended church at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Vidalia, LA. She was a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club and served in the Tableaux. A member of the Krewe of Phoenix, she delighted in attending the parties and balls, helped by her family and friend Cameron Nettles.

Ms. McDonough was preceded in death by her father and her brother, Kyle Riordan McDonough.

Survivors include her parents, Chuck and Sherry Bearden; sister-in-law, Jamie Castor-McDonough; her best friend, Cameron Barre-Nettles; sister, Susan Celeste Bearden; brother, Sean R. Bearden of San Diego, CA; her support team, Eleanor, Stanley, Molly, Mandy, and Aunt Betty Lou Nettles, along with their families. Special attendant to her was Uncle William Nettles.

Pallbearers will be Chrisitan Brown, Logan Brown, Roarke Brown, Ayden Nettles, Christopher Nettles Jr., and Peyton Strozier.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Eugene Barnes, John Burns, Stanley Cooper III, and Coil Lee Jones.

The family wishes to thank Love and Faith Home Health, Compassus Hospice, and the Tillman Clinic for their earnest care and compassion.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.