Friends remember slain Pass Christian mother. ‘We all fell in love with her’
In three short months, Joyce Gomez made a lasting impression on those she came to know and love in her job as a bartender at the Whiskey Bar, according to the owner.
“We all fell in love with her,” said Mary-Catherine Scriber, owner of the Pass Christian business. “She was a go-getter. She immediately became a part of our family here, and that included all of our employees and regular patrons.”
The devoted mom of two worked three or four nights a week as a bartender at the business. She had also started working part-time at Bacchus on the Beach in recent weeks, her friends said.
When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed spending time with her children. In fact, Scriber said she had taken off in recent weeks to take her kids to an Easter egg hunt in Pass Christian.
After Scriber learned Gomez was still missing Saturday, she says she made the only decision she could.
“I gathered my team together and said we cannot serve a cocktail or have music with this child still out there somewhere,” Scriber said. “I slept at the bar Saturday night. I couldn’t leave until they found her.”
Criminal charges are pending
According to Pass Christian Police Chief Daren Freeman, Gomez was last seen walking with a man she knew around 10:52 p.m. on Friday in downtown Bay St. Louis. She had gotten off work at the bar shortly after 10 p.m.
Harrison County sheriff’s deputies found her body in a wooded area off a dirt path on W Wittman Road on Sunday. Foul play is suspected, and an arrest is forthcoming, the police chief said.
Learning that Gomez was likely the victim of foul play has hit her friends and loved ones hard.
“We are all just devastated,” Scriber said. “She had so much love and support, and she loved those children.”
An autopsy is pending to determine a cause of death for Gomez, Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer said, as the criminal investigation continues.
.The Pass Christian police chief commended Gomez’s friends and the public for providing information to police during the investigation.
In addition, Chief Freeman asked the public to pray for Gomez’s friends and family.
“It’s a very sad situation,“ the police chief said.
Tributes pour in for beloved mother
Since word spread about Gomez’s death, those who knew and loved her have left lasting tributes on social media.
One in particular post stood out, Scriber said, because it truly captured the spirit of Gomez.
“Joyce captured the hearts of so many in such a short time,’ the post read. “She had such a wonderful infectious energy and sweet personality. She won’t be forgotten! RIP sweet girl!”
Another post referred to Gomez as “a ray of sunshine.”
Others offered their sympathies and prayers for those Gomez left behind.
“Please, Jesus, wrap your arms around those children and give them comfort,” another said.
To report information in the criminal investigation, call the Pass Christian Police Department at 228-452-3300 or call Mississippi Coast Crimestoppers at 877-785-5898,
This story was originally published April 28, 2025 at 12:26 PM.
