Ann Marie Elizabeth "Liz" Hymel Eckert

Ann Marie Elizabeth “Liz” Hymel Eckert, 86, of Ocean Springs, passed away on February 27, 2026.

Liz was the devoted wife of Richard A. Eckert, Sr. (deceased) to whom she was married for 64 wonderful years.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Mildred Hymel of New Orleans, Louisiana; her sisters, Marie H. Weidner, Edmee H. Baird, and Kathleen H. Shirer, and her brother, Roland J. Hymel.

She is survived by her six children, Richard A. Eckert (Lori), Jr, Michael P. Eckert (Lynne), Kay E. Smith (Craig), Ann E. Bruffey (Michael), Steven N. Eckert (Caron), and Marie E. Williams (Michael); her thirteen grandchildren, Carson Kadi (Kaeli), Catherine Smith, Mark Eckert, Elise Eckert, Jacob Bruffey (Caroline), Julia B. Haynes (Hayden), Emma Bruffey, Olivia Williams, Andrew Williams, Daniel Williams, and Claire Williams, Christopher Dekle, Caroline Dekle; her great-grandchild, Camille Bruffey, and her brother, Patrick Hymel.

Liz grew up in New Orleans and was a graduate of Dominican High School and Soule Business College. Liz was devoted to her parish, St. Alphonsus, in Ocean Springs. She was a member of the altar society and made the outfits for and managed the holiday-season changes of the Statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. She was a volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy for many years. In her working life, she served as secretary to two Superintendents of Education and maintained the library for the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi.

She had a great love of sewing and delighted in making jewelry bags, gifts for others, and supported ‘Dress a Girl Around the World’ for many years. She enjoyed working in her garden and taking joy from flowers, especially her roses. She had a love of cooking for her family and friends. She also traveled across the USA and the world with Dick, her husband. Her memorable trips include pilgrimages to Lourdes, Fatima, and Medjugorje.

Holidays were a chance to decorate the home. Her grandchildren had a game of counting Nativity sets throughout the house and generally agreed on there being 25+ nativity sets, though the exact number depended on who was counting. The extended family would arrive for holiday meals, with tables stretching across the house for the family.

She cherished her time with her children and grandchildren, taking joy in their joy. Her children and grandchildren have fond memories of learning to fish, crab and being taught how to sew and make crafts. She approached life with vigor and passion and brightened every room she entered. She touched everyone she met in a positive way.

She never missed her children’s, their spouses’, and her grandchildren’s birthdays, and would always call and sing Happy Birthday in the best way she knew. She was there for her children and grandchildren and attended their baptisms, Holy Communions, and graduations.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. and a Celebration of Life held immediately afterward. Burial will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County, is honored to serve the Eckert family. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.