Berlin Austin Ladner of Perkinston, MS, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025 at the age of 79. He was a native of Necaise, MS, and moved to Slidell, LA in 1971, where he was a teacher and coach for Chalmette High School. He later returned to Necaise Crossing and worked as a teacher and coach for Hancock High School. He was recently inducted into the University of Southern Mississippi’s Hall of Fame, where he still holds the record for most points in a game. Berlin also participated in the Mississippi Senior Olympics for several years. He loved being social, where he excelled in hosting get-togethers with his soulmate, Carolyn Elizabeth Simmons Ladner, who kept him very busy with many landscape projects for their events. He was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron Joseph Ladner and Ollie Mae Paige Ladner; his son, Curtis Allen Ladner; his sister, Shirley Cuevas; his brothers, Glen Ladner, Burnell Ladner, and Wendell Ladner.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 57 years, Carolyn Elizabeth Simmons Ladner; his son, Steven (Monique) Austin Ladner; his grandson, Sutton Curtis Ladner; his sister, Janell (Roland) Ladner; and his numerous nieces and nephews. A Funeral Masswill be held Monday, February 3, 2025, at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Perkinston, MS. Visitation will be Monday, February 3, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Burial will be in Necaise Crossing Cemetery under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home. Father Emmanuel Subaar will officiate the service.