Miriam Gertrude Counts

Miriam Biggar Counts, beloved Mom and “Nanny” to so many, blessed this world on January 5, 1935, in Monroe, Louisiana and met her Lord and Savior surrounded by her family on March 11, 2024, where she was reunited with her husband, James Truman Counts, her mother, Bess Judah, her father, Hugh James, and many other loved family members and friends. The funeral mass celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Saint Matthew Catholic Church in Monroe, Louisiana with Rev. Joe Martina officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paschal Catholic Cemetery in West Monroe, LA under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe, LA

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday March 15, 2024, with a Vigil Wake Service at 6:30 P.M. and Rosary following the service in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home.

She was a devout Catholic her entire life where she was a member of Saint Matthew’s and Saint Paschal’s Catholic Churches. She graduated from Saint Matthew’s High School in 1953 and attended Northeast Louisiana State College (ULM).  She retired from the Ouachita Parish School System after 45 years of service at West Monroe High School. During her decades of service, she built a work family with all who came through the doors of WMHS.  Due to her distinguished service, guidance, devotion, and friendship to West Monroe High School and the community, she was honored with the first “Heart of a Rebel” award in 2022. She was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sorority.

She embodied the characteristics of a true Southern Lady.  She was strong, resilient, tenacious, adventurous while being carefree, had a love of shopping for all things - especially her beloved cows, flowers, and figurines, and giving of her time, energy, and love to her family and friends. One of her favorite travel experiences was accidentally getting lost because it allowed her to see new things and experience what God had in store for her.  She had a trust and faith that most can only dream of possessing.   She encompassed virtues that made her Saintly because of her daily prayers, her love of praying the Rosary, and her daily participation of Mass through Eternal Word Television Network.  She was the matriarch of her family giving continuous words of wisdom, encouragement, and a listening ear for all who came to her daily. She will be greatly missed, but a peace is with everyone, especially her family, knowing she lived her 89 years doing what she loved, spending time with those around her, supporting everyone, and never denying an opportunity to share her life and love with others.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James T. “Buddy” Counts; father and mother, Hugh and Bess “Bessie” Biggar; and brother, Hugh Biggar, Jr.

She is survived by her 7 children:  Donna Norris (Ricky); Tommy Counts;  Barbara Smith (Bryan); Steve Counts (Debbie); Sharon Sanders (Casey); Jeff Counts (Nancy); and Mark Counts; and 20 grandchildren:  Misty Rogers (Jason); Nathan Counts (Renee);  Amanda Prudhomme (Joey); Case Sanders (Lindsey); Brandon Counts; Amy Campbell (Dave);  Ashley Norris (Patrick); Luke Sanders (Jennifer); Annalyn Adams (Rustin);   Samantha Searcy (Cody);  Rick Sanders (Zan); Sarah Counts; Katie Counts;   Nick Sanders (Megan); Jed Counts; Caroline Counts; Olivia Counts; Dax Counts; Trey Works (Chasity) and Jana Allen (Tim); 31 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bradley Biggar (Nancy)and Charlie Biggar (Becky); sister-in-law, Shirley Biggar; brother-in-law, Troy Counts; her loving, caring friend Willie Mae “Pepper”; and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The Honorary Pallbearer will be George Davis.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to continue her love and support for children.

Online Registry/Condolences:www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com