Tami Newman Haverty — a loving mother, wife, daughter and sister — died peacefully at Gulfport Memorial Hospital on March 4, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was 65.

To know Tami was to know how deeply she loved her children, how proud she was of them, and how fiercely she defended them. Teachers in the Long Beach School System may recall that her kids would never do anything wrong, even if the evidence occasionally suggested otherwise.

She was known all along the Coast for bragging about her children. She spent years as a casino host — first at the Grand Casino and then at the Silver Slipper — where one of her duties, in her mind, was to update friends, coworkers and customers on just how well her kids were doing. She treasured their accomplishments.

Tami was, if you couldn’t already tell, a people person. She was a gifted talker who made those around her feel special. Her laugh was one of a kind, and anyone who knew her can hear it now as they read these words. She often knew the latest friendly gossip, and was happy to share what she had heard, just as long as you were willing to do the same.

She had a soft-spot for the underdog, the underprivileged, and the underestimated. She had a generous heart and a strong sense of justice. Almost nothing moved her as much as a YouTube video showing someone “overcoming the odds” or standing up to a bully, though she also loved plenty of Peter Frampton and Jimi Hendrix videos.

Most of all, however, she loved her family. And her family loved her.

A lifelong resident of the Mississippi Coast, Tami was born Nov. 8, 1960 in Gulfport. She grew up there and became known for her striking beauty and outgoing personality, winning Homecoming Queen while attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. She later studied fashion merchandising at University of Southern Mississippi.

Tami eventually moved to Long Beach, where she raised her family, and eventually settled in Bay St. Louis, where she spent the latter half of her life.

Tami is survived by her devoted husband, Michael Haverty, who she has been with for 26 years; her adoring mother and father, Peggy and Fred Newman, who loved her every day of her life; her cool younger sister, Kendra Landry, and Kendra’s cheerful husband, James Landry; her appreciative children, Eddie Alexander, Hayley Alexander, and Miles Alexander, as well as their spouses, Marie Alexander, Matt Fuller, and Morgan Linnett; two young grandchildren, Lewis Alexander and George Alexander; and a long list of friends and relatives who also cherished her.

Tami also leaves behind her beloved cat, Larry David, and Michael’s dog, Bruce.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, Mississippi, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com .