Lady Martin

Lady Dell Mechatto Martin was born in Yazoo City, MS on October 25, 1936, and passed away at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, MS on October 26, 2018. She was the daughter of the late Lucille and Vincent "Snow" Mechatto.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leslie Homer Martin Jr.; and nephews, David Bearden and Jerrell Bearden.
She is survived by her children, Kim McCoy, Tommy Ashworth (Erin), Debbie Thrash (Gary), and Homer Martin III (Juanita); her siblings, Phil Mechatto (JoEllen), Gay Ann Abraham (Dannie), Denny Mechatto (Vickie), and Cissy Pedigo (Gary); the ones who called her Nana (grandchildren), Leslie Henson (Matt), Adam Thrash (Carmen), Reed Miller (Brynne),  Lady Kendall Hanbery (David), Spencer Ganz (Nate), Talon Griffin,  Frankie and Nic Ashworth; her great grandchildren, Lillie and Parker Henson, Carmen Claire  and Hazel Thrash, John David and Miller Hanbery, Layla Ganz, and, arriving in January, Vincent Miller,; numerous nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and very special friends, James and Nancy Creel.
Lady Dell graduated from Belzoni High School in 1954. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was a member of the first Dixie Darling dance team. She was also a pledge in the Phi Mu sorority. In 2012, was inducted into the sorority, becoming the oldest Phi Mu inductee in the history of the sorority. She was also featured in the Phi Mu national publication The Aglaia .
Lady Dell was active in the Cotton Wives of America, traveling around the south promoting the cotton industry. She participated in numerous 100% Cotton fashion shows. She was also active in many organizations in Belzoni including the garden club, music club, and church groups.
Lady Dell was a talented craftsman, which lead her to opening "The Stitching Nook", where she sold supplies and taught others how to create cross stitch master pieces.
After retirement, she and Homer traveled the continental United States, Canada, and Alaska in their Motor Coach. Lady Dell was active in the Monaco Coach Rallies and was responsible for the success of these gatherings. In the twenty years she and Homer traveled, Lady Dell developed friendships with hundreds of people she referred to as her "Monaco Family".
Lady Dell and Homer settled in Naples, Florida, where she established friendships with even more people through their church, bridge and mahjong groups, and neighborhood. She also achieved Destination Club Master in her bridge group.  The later part of her life was spent on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Lady Dell jumped right into coast living making new friends in every area of her life.
She made a mark everywhere she went, never meeting a stranger and making everyone she met a friend.  Lady Dell's vibrant personality, bright smile, and infectious laugh drew people to her. She was loved by all who had the privilege to know her. Because of her courageous battle against cancer, she was admired not only by those who knew her, but also by those who followed her story on social media.
Special thanks to Linda Swilley and Ansleyene Williams for their loving care.
Lady Dell will be missed by her beloved Dixie Darlings, Phi Mu sisters, traveling buddies, Florence Gardens neighbors, bridge and mahjong friends, lifelong friends Winkie Allen and Hallie Love Luster, and all the other people she touched in her life. Most of all she will be missed by her family whom she held close for 82 years.
"Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear."
Visitation will be held Friday, November 2, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday at noon at First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, with a visitation one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pink Heart Funds (PO Box 1047 Long Beach, MS 39560), or your favorite charity.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com