Mary "Gwen" Ward

On August 22, 2022, Mary “Gwen” Ward was surrounded by her loving family as she peacefully breathed her last breath.

Gwen was born on September 8, 1936, in Laurel, Mississippi to the late Paul B. and Velmaz Welborn. Upon graduating high school, Gwen moved to Mobile, Alabama. While living in Mobile, she met the love of her life, James C. Ward, who served in the United States Air Force (USAF). The two married on February 14, 1956. Gwen proudly supported her husband, and her country as a devoted military wife, as they toured Alaska, New Mexico, Biloxi, Mississippi, France, Germany, and Oregon. The two later returned to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1969 making Gulfport their forever home.

Gwen loved the Coast and everything that embodies this wonderful place. Upon their return home, she submerged herself in the rich history and culture of the Coast, landing her a career with the Harrison County Tourism Commission. She was also a delegate supervisor for Miss Universe, Inc. for several years, and a travel manager for Miss USA in 1996. Gwen was also involved with several volunteer organizations.

If you knew Gwen, you knew Mardi Gras was her favorite holiday. There was a fire that sparked inside her when she heard the first note of Second Line. For several years, she and her husband were members of Revelers Carnival Organization and Young Matrons. In 1996, Gwen reigned as queen of the ball for Young Matron’s 51st annual celebration. This was one of Gwen’s proudest honors. She was a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was and forever will be “Our Queen”.

Gwen is preceded in death by her parents, one brother and her beloved husband, Jim C. Ward of 65 years. She is survived by her son, Jim Ward, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Karen Scarborough Ward; her beloved granddaughter, Ashley Ward Horobetz and grand son-in-law, Mark Horobetz; her great-grandchildren, Wallace and Forrest Horobetz; her brother Paul B. Welborn, Jr. (Peg); brother, Jerdon L. Welborn (Faye); sister, Linda Langham; sister-in-law, Judy Welborn, many nieces and nephews and her support Labrador Retriever and caregiver, Moss.

The family wishes to thank Sandra Devaughn, Catherine Kirksey and Dynita White for their care of this beloved woman.

The family also wishes to thank the nurses, chaplain, and aides of Kare-In-Home Health Services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee (www.stjude.org).

We know her soul is with the Lord, but her heart will forever be buried in the murky water of the Mississippi Sound. We love and miss you. Forever OUR QUEEN!

A Funeral Procession will depart at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 31st, from Riemann Family Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Road in Biloxi. A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.