T.W. Ard, 92, a resident of the Hilltop community, passed from this life to his eternal home on Saturday morning, April 29, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family.

T.W. was born on Sept. 15, 1924, and was a charter member of Forest Haven Missionary Baptist Church in Stateline. He held several different job titles during his lifetime including farmer, iron factory worker, furniture factory worker, sawmill worker, a carpenter and a parish road crew worker. He retired as a parish road crew supervisor.

T.W. enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who cherished spending time with his family and fellowshipping with his church family.

He is survived by: two daughters and sons-in-law, Evelyn Ard Blair and Sam Blair, and 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 and nine great-great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn Ard Price and Bruce Price; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Aulton and Elizabeth Ard, Claude and Edwina Ard, and Donald Ard; and also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Bessie Seals Ard; his mother, Mollie Thomas Ard; his father and step-mother, Willie Ard and Effie Lee Ard; brothers, Cecil Ard, Hollis Ard, Alton Ard, Willie Jewel Ard, Kenneth Ard, M.C. Ard, and Shirlie Ard; and sisters, Virgie Ard, Elizabeth Ard and Mavon Ard Caves.

Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 2, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation will continue Wednesday, May 3, at Forest Haven Missionary Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the church at 2 p.m. with Eld. Richard Magee, Eld. Clyde Cooper, Eld. Glynn Erwin and Eld. Yancy Magee officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

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

Pallbearers will be Bruce Ard, Charles Ray Ard, Keith Ard, Matthew Ard, Shermit Ellis, Lavon Forbes, Horace Seals and Don Wheat.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com