On October 29, 2014 after many years of a fruitful and productive life, Vera Slocum Ward lifted her face toward heaven to answer the roll call from the heavenly Father.

She was born on June 2, 1930 to the late Levi Slocum Jr. and Mahalia Washington Slocum. Vera was married to the late Willie Ward and this union was blessed with a precious son, Keith.

Sister Ward was a lifelong and dedicated member of St. Paul A,M.E. Church where she served in many capacities to include Church School superintendent and teacher, Trustee Board, Laymen League, Senior Choir, Building Fund secretary, First Annual Conference Souvenir Bookilet author, Chairperson of the first St. Paul Directory, Pastor's Aid Club, Floral Committee, Decoration Committee, and WMS Trainblazer Honoree.

In her community, she was a member of the East Gate Chapter #5, Order of Eastern Star, Retired Teachers Association, Golden Floral Outreach, Gift of Love Neighborhoods Club, LSU Medical Centerr Volunteer, Central Mass Class Reunion Steering and Scholarship Committees, coordinator of the first Black Debutante Cotillion, past Election Commissioner for the city of Bogalusa. She was also a member of the United States Democratice Presidental Campaign Committee 2012-2014.

Vera attended school in the Bogalusa City School System. She sought higher education in Baton Rouge and Hammond, LA, respectively receing her undergraduate degree from Southern University and her graduate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. She recently compiled a book relating the facts of the early schools of her time entitled The Legacy Lives On.

Family was very important to her. She was caregiver to three of her younger siblings (Clint, Hilda, Thelma) during her teenage years. She also organized the fir5st Slocum Familyh Reunion. VGera was a Godmother/Grandmother figure for Dvgosha Sampson Henry, Brian Jackson, Chele Jackson, Markayla Kennerson, Nekeya Williams, Ariana Brown, Jamila Fland, Jamil Fland, Alisha Fland, and Adia Fland.

Vera will be missed by all who knew and loved her! Tol know Vera was to love her! Her favorite words wee "Let me know if you need my hekp." She lived her life by Matthew 5:15 "Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

In addition to having taught in Bogtalusa for over twenty-seven years, she also mentored, tutored, and counseled many youth after her retirement. She touched the lives of many youth in the community. Her greatest joyhs were jelping others and working with flowers and plants. She was known for her quiet, kind and gently spirit as well as her gift of charity in both time and resources.

In addition to her parents, Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Willie Ward; three sisters, Juanita S. Draughn, Hilda S. Davis, and Thelma S. Rudolph; and brothers, Eugene Slocum, Sr. and Albert Slocum Sr.

She leaves to cherish fond memories a son, Keith (Jacqueline) Ward and a granddaughter, Alexandra Ward, all of Mandevile, LA; a specialo goddaughter, Marquitte (Chris) Fland of Allen, TX; one brother, Clinton (Helen) Slocum of Bridgeport, CT; caregivers, Shay Bonds and niece, Ramona Johnson; a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, relatives, friends and church framily.

A chapter completed. A page turned. A life well lived. A rest well earned.

Visitation, Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm with Funeral Service at 12:00 Noon at St. Paul AME Church Rev. R. L. Palmer, Jr., Officiating. Interments, Bogalusa Cemetery.