Mathilda "Mattie" Pavolini

Mathilda "Mattie" Starita Pavolini, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many, passed away on August 15, 2026, after a courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Born on March 9, 1944, in San Francisco, California, Mattie was the daughter of Bert R. Minesinger and Agnes Marshall Minsinger. She was raised in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where she formed lifelong friendships and met her childhood sweetheart, Louis "Larry" Starita Jr. The two married and shared 39 wonderful years together while raising their family and building a life centered on faith, love and service.

Mattie attended St. Joseph School in Pass Christian and graduated as Salutatorian of Harrison Central High School's Class of 1962. Throughout her life, she remained devoted to her Catholic faith and actively served her church communities. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish and later Holy Family Parish in Pineville. Over many decades, she was a dedicated supporter of St. Paul Catholic School Carnival Association and the Cursillo Movement of South Mississippi.

Mattie was preceded in death by her husband, Louis "Larry" Starita Jr.; her parents, Bert R. Minesinger and Agnes Marshall Minsinger; and her beloved maternal and paternal grandparents.

In recent years, Mattie and her husband of 12 years, Andrew "Bob" Pavolini, made their home in Flowood, Mississippi, to be closer to family. Together they enjoyed an active life and found great joy in their parish family at St. Paul Catholic Church in Flowood.

In addition to her husband, Bob, Mattie is survived by her six children: Vicki (Joseph) Runnels of Madison, Mississippi; Kenneth (Melissa) Starita of Branson, Missouri; Stacey Jones of Parker, Colorado; Angela (Richard) Bosarge of Long Beach, Mississippi; Shari (Scott) White of Madison, Mississippi; and Tricia (Doug) Harris of Madison, Mississippi. She is also survived by her 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Mattie will be remembered for her unwavering faith, generous spirit, devotion to family and the kindness she extended to everyone she met. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched, the family she loved so dearly and the example of faith and service she modeled every day.

There will be two services honoring her life.

On Friday, August 21, 2026, visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church in Flowood, Mississippi.

A second service will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Pineville, Mississippi, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and funeral Mass following at 11:00 a.m.

A private graveside burial will take place at a later time.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staff of the 5th Floor Critical Care Unit at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson for the exceptional compassion and care shown to Mattie and her family during her final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 in Mattie's memory.