Frieda Louise Ward

Frieda Louise Fleming Ward, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and dear friend to countless others, passed away on April 17, 2024, at the age of 76. Born on August 12, 1947, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Frieda spent her formative years in the picturesque town of Hot Springs, where she was such a tomboy that her neighborhood friends called her Petey, a nickname that her family and high school friends still use to this day.

After graduating as salutatorian from Hot Springs High School, Frieda studied chemistry at Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas, where she graduated with honors in 1968. She took her first job in Helena Chemical Company in Helena, Arkansas.   She was soon recruited to Mobile, Alabama, to work for Shell Chemical Company, which was later absorbed into E.I. DuPont.   By the end of her successful 27-year career, Frieda had risen to be the Mobile plant’s Environmental Manager. 

Beyond her professional pursuits, Frieda was deeply involved in her community. When Frieda enrolled her daughter in competitive swimming, she too, participated by becoming a stroke judge and multi-year board member of The City of Mobile Swim Association. She also enjoyed her many years volunteering and serving on steering committee for Fairhope’s Arts and Crafts Festival. She also served on the Board of Trustees for the Fairhope Public Library and was a contributing member of Impact 100 of Baldwin County.

As an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Daphne, her kindness and compassion touched the lives of many. She volunteered for their Thrift Shop and spear-headed outreach programs such as Sunday lunches at 15 Place in downtown Mobile that helped to feed the homeless.

Her two granddaughters were at the heart of Frieda's life, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Through holiday parties, cookie decorating, painting with watercolors, and working jigsaw puzzles, Frieda built memories that will carry and comfort them in the years to come. 

Finally, Frieda was an amazing friend. They were her lifeblood. She thrived on connecting with people and weaving them into her life. Her home and her holiday celebrations were always packed with friends who were like family. She thrived on sharing her love of gourmet cooking with them as well as fresh roses cut from her yard. The love she gave and received within every friendship kept her life delightfully full.

She is survived by her daughter, Tara Ward Smith and son-in-law Eric Smith of Fairhope; granddaughters, Olivia Rae Smith of Athens, GA; Emily (Emmie) Ann Smith of Chicago, IL; and her sister, Mrs. Carroll Winter (Kay) of Maumelle, Arkansas.

A memorial service to celebrate Frieda's life will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Daphne, AL, on Saturday, April 27^th, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and service to follow at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Daphne or The Haven in Fairhope.

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