James Mildred H. de la Rua, aged 104, passed away quietly on July 31, 2015, after a short illness. She was a communicant at St. Patrick Catholic Church, while residing in Apalachicola, Florida, prior to her stay at Emerald Shores Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility, and Covenant Hospice in Panama City, Florida. She spent most of her adult life in Memphis, Tennessee, where she was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church for over 45 years. Mildred was one of five daughters in her family, having been born to Minnie and Edgar Hightower in Houston, MS on February 17, 1911. Mrs. de la Rua was preceded in death by her husband, John E. de la Rua Sr.; and three sisters, Francis Haley of Cordova, TN, Jane Hawkins of Kosciusko, MS and Louise Moore of Helena, AL. She is survived by her son, John E. de la Rua Jr (Shirley) and daughter, Martha Diane Dieter (Robert), one sister, Warrene Smith of Lebanon, TN, five grandchildren, Brad de la Rua and Lauri Smith of Memphis, TN, Robert Dieter Jr. (Kathryn) of Hudson, OH, Shelley A. Dieter of Atlanta, GA, and Stacey E. Arndall of Wesley Chapel, FL,; eight great-grandchildren, Spencer and Hunter Smith - Rob, Sarah and Andrew Dieter - Christopher, Ashley and Eva Arndall. Funeral Mass: St. Patrick Catholic Church, 27th Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320, (850-653-9453) Wednesday, August 5, 2015, 10:00 A.M. Visitation: Forest Hill East Funeral Home, 2440 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38134, (901-382-1000) Friday, August 7th, 2015, from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Burial Service: Forest Hill East Cemetery, 2440 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38134, (901-382-1000) Saturday, August 8th, 2015, 10:00 A.M. The family requests memorials, in lieu of flowers, be sent to St. Patrick Catholic Church, P.O Box 550, Apalachicola, FL 32329, or to Covenant Hospice, Inc., Panama City, Florida, (850-785-3040) in honor of Mildred H. de la Rua.

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