January 8, 1925 ~ December 4, 2021 (age 96)
Gladys Dew Ward, who loved to be called “Momma” by her children, went to her heavenly home on December 5th at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born in Hallsboro, North Carolina on January 8, 1925, to Lonnie Jackson Dew and Bertha Barefoot Dew.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years Thomas Allen Ward; sisters, Edna Carter and husband Sykes of Middlesex, N.Y., Geneva Perry and husband Clinton of Hallsboro; brothers Clayton Dew and wife Marie of Hallsboro, and J.B. Dew of Hallsboro.
She is survived by her brother Junior Dew and wife Freida of Hallsboro, a sister-in-law Elsie Brooks of Monroe, Georgia, and a friend Doris Castleman of Whiteville. Gladys was mother to Cheryl Williamson and husband, Larry of Hallsboro, Thomas Earl Ward and wife Jenny of Lake Waccamaw, Gay Strickland and husband Dan of Tabor City, and Terry Ward and wife Sherry of Hallsboro.
She was truly blessed over the years at the birth of her grandchildren, Amy Williamson Brewington and husband Chris of Lumberton; Chad Williamson and wife Crystal of Hallsboro; Seth Ward and wife Amy of Hallsboro; Heather Ward Williams and husband Tre of Scranton; Paige Strickland Smith and Justin of Morehead City; Elizabeth Strickland Blackmon and husband Chris of Whiteville; Chelsey Ward Duncan and Courtney Ward of Hallsboro.
She was also blessed with 13 great-grandchildren, 5 great great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
Gladys was a member of Honey Hill Baptist Church where she was active in the church choir and involved in many church activities. As a homemaker, she was known as an exceptional cook and gardener. Her love of plants was evident as her yard was adorned throughout each season with many varieties of flowers.
Visitation will be held at 2:00 pm prior to the service at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, December 7th at Peacock Funeral Home in Whiteville, NC and burial will follow at Pierce Cemetery in Hallsboro.
For those who wish, memorials can be made to Honey Hill Baptist Church, P.O.Box 118, Hallsboro, NC 28442 or Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 206 Warrior Trail, Whiteville, NC 28472.
