Patricia Ann Lafferty Ziegler

Patricia Ann Lafferty Ziegler, age 93, passed away on June 1, 2025, in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Born in Heber Springs, Arkansas, she was raised in Shirley, Arkansas, and graduated from Shirley High School. Patricia later became a longtime resident of Biloxi, Mississippi.

She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Biloxi, where she cooked for the senior adults club for 10 years, and was part of the Sunday School class the “Moving On Together” group. She was also active in the Order of the Eastern Star, Ann Grayson Chapter #50 and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Biloxi Assembly. 

Patricia attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – Jeff Davis Campus and went on to work as a Budget Analyst at Keesler Air Force Base for 30 years before retiring in 1994. She also held several state appointments within the Eastern Star organization.

Her hobbies included cooking, traveling, needlepoint, crocheting, and truly spoiling her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Patricia’s favorite saying was: “Don’t sweat the small stuff—you just have to roll with the punches.” - a simple truth she carried gracefully through life.

Patricia is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jimmie Dale Ziegler; parents, Robert P. Lafferty and Lola Howard Lafferty; sister, Wilma Francis Austin; niece, Bobbie Gene Fisher; and cousin, Annequinn Lafferty Allison.

She is survived by her children, Cindy Thompson of Biloxi, Vandy Mitchell (Stephanie) of Biloxi, Connie Ziegler Scheffler of Ocean Springs, Mitch Ziegler of Spring, TX, and Mike Ziegler of Spring, TX; grandchildren, Annge Fales (Bob) of Brunswick, GA, Shelli Southerlin of Mobile, AL, Amy Tapper (Aaron) of Ocean Springs, Steven Street (Keylee) of Coldspring, TX, Tricia Putnam (John) of Biloxi, Brandi Billot (Chris) of Spring, TX, Brian Ziegler of Rapid City, SD, Natalie Mitchell of Biloxi; 10 great-grandchildren; and sisters in-law, Phyllis Sanders of Joplin, MO and Cheryl Anderson of Marietta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an organization dear to Patricia’s heart: International Order of the Rainbow for Girls of Mississippi, c/o Ms. LaDonna Hamilton, 3601 Suter Rd., Gautier, MS 39553.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 6, at 11:00 AM, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Rd., Biloxi, MS 39531. Interment will follow at 12:30 PM at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave., Biloxi, MS.

The family extends special thanks to her personal caregivers: Jennifer Gautreaux, Starr Chaddick, and Shelia Hartzog, as well as the 5th Floor ICU team at Memorial Hospital.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Biloxi, is serving the family. An online obituary and guestbook are available at www.RiemannFamily.com