Minnie Mae Ward

REFLECTIONS of life MOTHER MINNIE MAE berryhill WARD November 19, 1923, in Duckhill, Mississippi, Jesse and Mamie Berryhill welcomed their only daughter, Minnie Mae Berryhill. October 5, 2015, Minnie Mae answered the call and went home to be with the Lord. Minnie Mae was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Ward; brother, Herbert Berryhill; grandson, Reginald Williams; and son, George Herndon, stepsons, Robert Ward, Jr., Theopolis Ward, and Mike Ward. She is survived by daughters, Lillian Herndon and Ann Elias; sons, Shelton Tapley, Sr., Roy Tapley, Sr. (Opal), all of Little Rock, Arkansas; Tommy Tapley (Alice) and Gregory Ward, all of Sacramento, California; stepson, James Ward and stepdaughter, Loretha Ward; Sixteen (16) grandchildren; Thirty-two (32) great-grandchildren; and five (5) great-great grandchildren; extended families; and friends. Minnie Mae accepted Jesus Christ at an early age at Lee Chapel AME Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas. January 1964, she united with Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. She faithfully served as an usher and represented Mt. Calvary at the City Wide Ushers, Arkansas State Federation of Ushers, Southern Region Church Ushers Convention. She was recognized as the longest serving “Queen” of this organization. She knew her usher signs, procedures, and was a great mentor to many people. In addition to the Usher Ministry, she served in the following ministries: Kitchen Ministry; Women’s Missionary Society; Pastor’s Aide Committees; Program Committee; and Pastor’s Anniversary Committees. Minnie Mae was a proud employee of Baptist Hospital and retired after 35 years of service as an assistant technologist in the lab. She was involved in many ministries and community service projects. Minnie Mae was notably affiliated with the AARP and the Willie Hinton Neighborhood Association. She loved to travel and went on several cruises. She was always moving and offering to help. Minnie Mae was very amusing and always offered witty words of encouragement. She had superb culinary skills and was well known for her famous, delicious coconut cakes, cornbread dressing, and yeast rolls.