Funeral Mass for Mavis Louise Ayers Fratesi, 87, of Leland will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 2, 2022 at St. James Catholic Church in Leland. She passed away August, 29th in Ocean Springs, MS surrounded by family. Burial will be in Leland-Stoneville Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
Mavis was born in 1934 and graduated from Lobutcha High School. Mavis moved to Leland, MS in 1952 to work for Southern Bell Telephone Company. In Leland, she met and married her best friend and constant companion, Lando Fratesi. Mavis and Lando were married in Leland in May of 1955.
Anyone who knew Mamie, knew how much she loved sports, especially when her children were playing. She and Pappy never missed an opportunity to support their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends’ children on and off the field. Mavis was dedicated and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and friend. Mavis retired from USDA at Stoneville where she was the first smiling face to greet many people for many years.
Mavis is preceded in death by her mother, Mattie Burchfield Ayers, her father, Sylvester O’Neal Ayers, her brother James Lamar Ayers, sister-in-law Betty Ayers, nieces, Vicki Ayers and Paula Therrien.
Mavis is survived by her husband, Lando Fratesi, son, Marc (Lisa) Fratesi of Ocean Springs, MS, grandsons, Landon (Livie) Fratesi, Roman Fratesi, Britton Fratesi, and Rhett Fratesi, granddaughter, Faison Fratesi, daughter, Alyson Grissom (Harold) of Perkinston, MS, granddaughter, Alex Ishee (Matt) of Daphne, AL and a sister, Faye (Bobby) Horton of Louisville, MS.
The family wishes to express special thanks to the nurses and doctors at both Delta Medical Center and Ocean Springs Hospital. The family also wishes to express thanks to all those who reached out with love and prayers during this time.
There will be a visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Friday prior to the services at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities of Jackson, MS from which both Marc and Alyson were adopted.