Barbara Ward

 Barbara Ann Blevins (Ward), 63, well known for her art as Barbara Steele Thibodeaux, entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on Friday, January 20, 2017 in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Barbara was surrounded by her family and an abundance of love as her battle with Ovarian Cancer came to a close. Barbara was born on July 18, 1953, daughter of John and Kay Blevins in Hamilton, Ohio. She spent her early years in Hamilton, Ohio attending Taft High School (Class of 1971) and relocated to the Slidell, Louisiana area for most of her adult life.

She was a loving mother, daughter, sister, wife, grandmother and great grandmother. Holding a degree in Interior Design, she was an accomplished self-taught inspiring artist known around the world for her American Contemporary Folk Art (www.folk-art.com). Her artwork frequently featured her love for New Orleans culture and her family history. She also was a successful self-taught technologist, specializing in Information Technology leadership, design, and programming for over 35 years. As a person, Barbara, was rooted in her faith in Jesus Christ. She was generous and loved being able to give from her successes. She had a sensitive heart for those in need and frequently displayed her love for Christ by giving to others. An avid support of Compassion International, she has helped contribute to the needs of her Compassion children, most recently Jesca Munezero, in Uganda.

Barbara was loving, fun, and funny. Barbara is survived by, daughter Dawn Snelling and spouse Robert, son Brian Ward, daughter Brandi Ward and spouse Miranda, son Joshua Ward and Fiancée Sonya Revere, grandchildren Brandon Ward, Kirstyn McDowell, Garrison Snelling, Bailey Gross, Logan Gross, Audrey Ward, Tristan Ward, Jakobi Ward, great-grandchildren, Kaylin Ward, Adrian Ward, and Violet McDowell, father John Blevins, siblings Cathy Gray, Doug Blevins, Nancy Coombes, Debra Marcum, and Lynda Hamblin, and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Kay Blevins in 2006 and great nephew Landon Hamblin in 2005, who died at the age of 3.

Two Memorial Services will be held (Lacombe, LA and Fairfield, OH), the first will be Thursday afternoon, January 26, 2017 at 3:00pm at Redemption Church of Lacombe 27351 Hwy 190 Lacombe, LA 70445 with a visitation preceding from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. The second will be Saturday afternoon, January 28, 2017 at 3:00pm at Avance Funeral Home 4976 Winton Road Fairfield, OH 45014 with a visitation preceding from 2:00pm to 3:00pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Compassion International, Colorado Springs, CO 80997 in Honor of Barbara Thibodeaux.

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