Vera Kellogg Fernald

Published 12:52 pm Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Funeral Services for Vera Kellogg Fernald, a resident of Saucier, were held on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home with burial in the U.S. National Cemetery at Biloxi with her husband. Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Vera Kellogg Fernald passed away on Feb. 3, 2015, after a short illness. She was 83 years old.

Vera Kellogg Fernald was born on Dec. 1, 1931 in Gulfport, Mississippi to Alfred and Margaret Kellogg. She was a product of the Gulfport Public School System graduating form Gulfport High School. She attended Perkinston Junior College. Mrs. Fernald moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut and was employed with various firms culminating in employment with the Burndy Corporation of Norwalk, Connecticut as an executive management assistant. Vera Kellogg married Peter Kozakiewecz in 1951 and gave birth to three sons, Paul Kozakiewecz, Peter Kozakiewicz and Perry Kozakiewecz.

Subsequent to separation and divorce, Mrs. Fernald returned to Mississippi residing in Saucier. In 1970, Vera married Commander Joseph A. Fernald. Vera and Joe remained married for 41 years until the death of her husband in 2011. Mrs. Fernald was employed by the Entex Corporation in Gulfport for over 25 years serving as the executive secretary to the managing officer of the Gulfport office.

An avid artist, Vera Fernald was a member of the Gulf Coast Art Association, serving in various offices including a term as president of the organization. She participated in numerous art shows earning a number of awards for her work. Mrs. Fernald also devoted her time to gardening and working on the landscape at her name. The Fernald’s enjoyed traveling together throughout the United States with her husband during their marriage.

She is survived by children Paul and Sue Kozakiewecz of San Francisco, California, Peter and Mary Beth Kozakiewecz of Nashville, Tennessee; son Perry and Wanda Fernald of Saucier, Mississippi; step-daughter Barbara Venuti and her husband, Joe, of Bedford, Massachusetts; step-son, Joseph A. Fernald; and by her brothers, Ernest McCabe of Gulfport and Alfred Kellogg of Saucier; and sisters Thelma Hock of St. Peterburg, Florida, and Carolyn Braden of Saucier. Ms. Braden took extraordinary steps to care for her sister after she was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.

Mrs. Fernald also has numerous nieces and nephews and nine grandchildren, as well as life-long friends throughout the country.

Mrs. Fernald was a member of the Ramsay Memorial Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes all donations in Mrs. Fernald’s name be made to the Ramsay Memorial Presbyterian Church, located at 12472 Dedeaux Road, Gulfport, Mississippi 39503.