GULFPORT — Lois Elizabeth Lehmann Marsalis, age 88, of Gulfport died Saturday, June 11, 2011.

Mrs. Marsalis, who was known affectionately as “Tess,” was born in Hermanville on Jan. 4, 1923, and lived most of her life in Vicksburg. She and her husband moved to Gulfport on Nov. 11, 2000, to be closer to their only daughter and her family.

She graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin and trained at Mercy Hospital. Mrs. Marsalis was a registered nurse who worked for 35 years, first at The Street Clinic and later as staff nurse at Waterways Experiment Station-U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She loved cooking, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Louis and Tamma M. Lehmann; and her twin brother, Dr. Louis C. Lehmann.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, James R. “Buster” Marsalis; her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Bob Clark; her grandsons, Jon M. Clark and J. Jeffrey Clark (Mandy); three great-grandchildren, Katelyn Anna Clark, Grayson Michael Clark and Coleman Ray Clark; her 101-year-old brother, Albert E. Lehmann of Memphis; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

There will be a graveside service at noon Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at the Hermanville Cemetery in Hermanville. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road in Gulfport, is in charge of arrangements.

View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.