Sherman Bidwell Ladner, Jr., age 71, passed away Friday, April 24, 2026 at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.

He was born on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, in Saucier, where he grew up. In his early years, he relocated to Bay Springs, where he remained the rest of his life. He was a painter by profession, enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren, and keeping up with local events in the news.

He is preceded in the death by his parents, Sherman Bidwell Ladner, Sr., and Lula Mae Johnson Garner; his stepmother, Irene Ladner and two sisters, Janice Hilbun and Rose Garner.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-five years, Mrs. Beth Ladner; three children, Chris Smith, Sembra Jones, and Sherell Ladner; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Mary Gatewood, Brenda Ingram, Linda Moran, and Glenda Luper and one brother, Jeff Garner; several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 10:00 am until the service hour, 11:00 am at Colonial Chapel of Bay Springs. Rev. Eddie Brady will officiate. Burial will follow in Bethany Baptist Cemetery at Bay Springs.

Pallbearers will be Dusty Jones, Kale Shows, Logan Powell, Hunter Blakeney, Luke Smith, and Bailer Smith.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Cameron Walley and Payton White.

An online guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.colonialchapelbaysprings.com