Dr. Myrna Ladner Bourgeois

Dr. Myrna Ladner Bourgeois, PhD, of Waveland, MS, passed away at home on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the age of 88.

Myrna was born in Hancock County, MS, on January 3, 1938, to August and Myrtle Ladner of the Bayou La Croix Community. She graduated from Kiln High School before attending Pearl River Junior College, where she earned an associate’s degree. She worked for several years in the medical field for doctors in New Orleans and Bay St. Louis. Eventually, Myrna found her true calling in the field of education, and she earned a BS in Elementary Education as well as several master’s degrees in specialized educational fields and administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. She taught at schools throughout Hancock County, including St. Clare Elementary, Gulfview Elementary, and Hancock North Central Elementary. She went on to serve as the assistant principal and principal of Gulfview before successfully running for Superintendent of Education of Hancock County School District. She was the first and only woman elected to that office. After serving the Hancock County School District for many years, she became principal of St. Paul’s Catholic School in Pass Christian. In her retirement, Myrna returned to her own education, earning a PhD from the USM Department of Education and Psychology in 2006. She deeply believed in the importance of education for the young people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and she touched many lives throughout her career.

Myrna was a dedicated member of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church where she served for many years as a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Rabboni Ministry. She was a member of the Hancock County Leadership Program, the National Education Association, and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 139. She was also an early and long-time member of the Krewe of Nereids. In 2007, during Nereids’ 40th anniversary, she and her husband Bill were crowned Queen Doris and King Nereus XL. They made history as the first married couple to reign together, and they both cherished their years spent attending Nereids functions, balls, and parades.

Myrna was, above all, devoted to her family. Her husband, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchild were the lights of her life. She and Bill first met at a community dance and continued to dazzle people on the dance floor for decades. She learned to sew from her grandmother as a child and became a talented seamstress. She loved dressing well and enjoyed both making and shopping for elegant outfits. Myrna also had a gift for flower arrangements and wreath making, enjoyed decorating her home, and loved to host family, especially at an annual Christmas Eve party. She made one of the best galettes in town.

Myrna was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years; her parents; four brothers, Alton Ladner (Lois), James “Jim” Ladner, Sr. (Barbara), Larry “Pokey” Ladner, and Lyonie “Jeep” Ladner; her mother-in-law Amelia Green Powers; father-in-law William J. Bourgeois, Sr.; brothers-in-law Victor Green, Jr. (Bert) and George Green; and sisters-in-law Bertha Peterson (Everett), Lillian Garcia (Harold), Leverna Green, Hedy Thomason (Yale), and Geraldine Benigno (Sam).

She is survived by her children Tammy Tabor and Penny Torgeson; sons-in-law Brian Tabor and Keith Torgeson; grandchildren Sarah Torgeson and Brian Tabor and his wife Paige; and great-granddaughter Jules Tabor. She is also survived by brother Terrell Ladner, sister Brenda Ford, and sister-in-law Rosie Ladner, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, with a mass of Christian burial to follow at 12:00. Interment will follow in Bayou La Croix Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all of those who helped care for Myrna in her final days, especially the Notre Dame Hospice staff, Mr. Joe Monti, Fr. Mike O’Connor, and all the family and friends who gathered around her at the end.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Dr. Myrna Ladner Bourgeois, PhD.