Glory Lavernell Simpson Ward's Obituary
Funeral services for Glory Lavernell Simpson Ward, 75, of DeRidder, will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 in the Labby Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in DeRidder with Rev. Jason Hoycheck officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Cypress Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, April 11, 2022 from 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. and on April 12th, from 9:00 A.M. until time of service at the funeral home.
Born Glory Lavernell Simpson in Rosepine, Louisiana in 1947 to Pleas Simpson and Beulah Cooley and raised by her stepmother Dorothy Elaine Simpson. Her father instilled the nickname “Bunny” to her but was best known to family and classmates as Lavernell. She graduated from Rosepine High School in 1967 where later she began work as an administrative assistant to the DeRidder Sheriff’s Office. She met her future husband of 52 years, Harold in 1969 while he was on leave from combat operations within Vietnam. Upon Harold’s return they were married.
After marriage, Harold and Glory spent their lives living in a multitude of places like Florida, Texas, Michigan, and New Ulm, Germany. Upon their retirement, Harold and Glory moved back to Louisiana where they built their home.
Glory is preceded in death by her loving husband Harold Sr., her parents Pleas and Dorothy Simpson, her biological mother Beulah Cooley Buxton, 3 brothers Berry, McArthur, and Bryant Simpson, 3 sisters LouElla Roth, Alice Coody, and Brenda Blume, and 2 grandchildren.
She is survived by 5 children, Connie Lopresti and husband Jim of Huntsville, Al; Rhonda Allen and husband Terry of Copperas Cove, TX; Harold Ward Jr. and wife Lisa of Lillington, NC; Brenda Ward of DeRidder, LA; and David Ward of DeRidder, LA; one brother William (Bill) Simpson and wife Trish of DeRidder, LA; sixteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren along with a plethora of nieces and nephews
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