Mary Grace (Lee) Carnaggio

Mary Grace Lee Carnaggio, of Greenwood, passed away on December 22, 2024, in Greenwood, Mississippi. She was born on January 3, 1935, to Elvie and James Lee and grew up in Smith county in Mississippi. Immediately following high school, after having been the high scorer and star of her basketball team, she chose to attend nursing school in Jackson, Mississippi, at Saint Dominic‘s. Although growing up in a protestant church and playing piano for the choir, she grew to love the Catholic faith while learning from the Dominican nuns at Saint Dominic’s, and took instructions from a priest who was a patient of hers. After completing instructions, she joined the Catholic Church at Saint Richard’s in Jackson, Mississippi.

After her completion of nursing school, she decided to further her education and become an anesthetist. She continued her education in New Orleans at Charity Hospital where she enrolled in anesthesia school.  Upon completing her CRNA degree in 1962, she was immediately hired by Greenwood Leflore Hospital in Greenwood, Mississippi, where she was one of the first three CRNAs ever hired by GLH. This began her life long career there, lasting over 45 years, and having provided anesthesia to numerous people in the Greenwood and surrounding areas, many of whom had specifically requested her as their anesthetist. Throughout her career, she maintained membership in the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

After initially arriving in Greenwood, she joined the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and while attending mass there, she met Phillip Anthony Carnaggio, a lifelong Catholic and Greenwoodian. They quickly began dating and were married three months following their first date, on December 29,1962. They were later blessed with four daughters.

Mary leaves behind three daughters: Mary Jo (Joe) McDowell of Ridgeland; Patrice Carnaggio of Greenwood, and Jennifer (Chris) Winter of Oxford.

Also surviving her are five grandsons: Dr. Phillip (Katherine) Sandifer of Oxford, Gregory (Julia Morgan) Sandifer of Jackson, Matthew Besselievre of Greenwood, Patrick (Olivia) Besselievre of Flowood, and Christopher Winter of South Bend, Indiana. She was additionally blessed with six great granddaughters: Mary Nell, Kate and Lee Monroe Sandifer of Oxford; Liz Harper and Sarah Grace Sandifer of Jackson; Ollie Besselievre and one great grandson, Bennet Besselievre, both of Flowood.

Predeceasing her was her devoted husband of 52 years, Phillip Carnaggio. Also predeceasing her were her daughter, Julie Anne Besselievre and her sister, Patty Lee.

Funeral services will be provided by Greenwood Delta Funeral Home. Visitation is on Friday, December 27 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 511 W. Washington St., Greenwood, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am, with Father Andrew Nguyen officiating.  Interment will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery on Carrollton Ave., Greenwood.

Pallbearers are her grandsons: Dr. Phillip Sandifer, Gregory Sandifer, Christopher Winter, Matthew Besselievre, Patrick Besselievre, and her sons in law: Chris Winter and Joe McDowell.

Memorials may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 511 W. Washington St., Greenwood, MS 38930, or to Saint Dominic Hospital, 969 Lakeland Dr., Jackson, MS 39216.

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