Josie Sandoz

Josie Compretta Sandoz, of Long Beach, MS, was called to be with God on June 8, 2024.  JoJo, as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren and those closest to her, was 83 years old.  She was born in Bay St. Louis, MS, on August 27, 1940.  She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Bay St. Louis in 1958.   

She married the love of her life on June 18, 1960, at Our Lady of the Gulf Church in Bay St. Louis and began her vocation as a loving wife and mother of her five beloved children.  The family moved to Long Beach in 1965, becoming dedicated parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach.  Her caring and selfless nature reached well beyond her family as her vocation expanded to ministering in many volunteer roles at church and her children’s schools through the years. 

JoJo was an avid gardener and spent much time tending to the plants and flowers in her yard, winning several Yard of the Month awards for their home of almost sixty years.  She also enjoyed going to the Long Beach Senior Center and working on ceramics with “The Ladies.”   What she loved most in life, though, was spending time with her family.  She treasured her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and fought bravely until the end of her life so that she could spend more time with them.   

Jojo was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Rodney Joseph Sandoz; her parents, Sam and Katie Compretta; and her sister, Frances Compretta Sotak.  Survivors include her children, Mary Lynn (Emelyne) Sandoz, Susanne (Matt) Payne, Rodney L. (Mena) Sandoz II, Natalie (Doug) Auger, and Samuel (Katie) Sandoz; ten grandchildren, Kathryn (Nick) Pastore, Mark (Blakeley) Payne, Leah (Reese) Sloan, Michael Sandoz, Sarah (Thomas) Goris, Gabriel Sandoz, Kaitlyn Auger, Brian Auger, RJ Sandoz, and Harris Sandoz; two great-grandchildren, Reid Pastore and Phillips Sloan; a sister, Rosemary (Mickey) Wittmann; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be Friday, June 14, 2024, from 10 am – 12 noon at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon in the church.  Burial will be in Long Beach City Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Thomas Catholic Church, 720 East Beach Blvd., Long Beach, MS 39560, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 712 East Beach Blvd., Long Beach, MS 39560, or Feed My Sheep, PO Box 6883, Gulfport, MS 39506.