Bessie Ree Seals Ard, 89, a resident of the Hilltop Community, passed from this life to her eternal home on Friday, May 20, 2016, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Bessie was born on Sept. 30, 1926, and was a charter member of Forest Haven Missionary Baptist Church in Stateline. She worked for many years in sales at the former Morgan and Lindsey’s and Gibson’s stores in Bogalusa, and later as a lunchroom worker at Pine School before retiring as a lunchroom supervisor at the Angie Junior High School.

Bessie enjoyed gardening, cooking and caring for her beautiful flowerbeds. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who cherished spending time with her family and fellowshipping with her church family.

He is survived by: her husband of 71 years, T.W. Ard of the Hilltop Community; two daughters and sons-in-law, Evelyn Ard Blair and Sam Blair, Brenda Ard Simon and Nolan Simon, all of the Hilltop Community; two sons and daughters-in-law, Troy Wayne and Michelle Ard of Angie, and Darrell Lynn and Wendy Ard of the Hilltop Community; 14 grandchildren and Spouses, Tyrone and Caron Blair, Vickie Blair Dillon, Michael and Linda Simon, Nicole Simon Gonzales and L.J. Gonzales, Kandace Ard McKenzie and Derrick McKenzie, Troy Ann Ard, Ariel Seal, Holly Seal, Amber Seal Taylor and T.J. Taylor, Sonya Ard, Emily Ard, MaryOnna Ard, Harrison Freeman, and Preston Freeman; 20 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Evie Seals Ard of Angie; and also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fletcher Eugene Seals and Cynthia Williams Seals; two sisters, Athalee Seals Tynes and Ruby Jane Seals Forbes; and two brothers, Leonard Seals and Clifford Seals.

Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home on Sunday, May 22, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation continued Monday at Forest Haven Missionary Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 2 p.m., with Elder Richard Magee, Elder Clyde Cooper, Elder Glynn Erwin and Elder Yancy Magee officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to the staffs of St. Tammany Parish Hospital and Hospice of St. Tammany, and to their many friends and church family for their loving and caring support.

Pallbearers were Bruce Ard, Charles Ray Ard, Keith Ard, Matthew Ard, Shermitt Ellis, Lavon Forbes, Horace Seals and Don Wheat.