DURHAM- Mary Albert Ward passed away on Tuesday, November 22nd. A native of Durham, Mary Albert was born March 5, 1933, to the late John Albert Ward and Mary Walker Lougee Ward. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1955 and began her long career as an educator in the Durham City Schools.
Miss Ward taught social studies and civics to junior high students at E. K. Powe and Carr Jr. High. She served as Assistant Principal at both Holton Jr. High and Durham High School. Over the years Miss Ward was recognized by many student groups and the Athletic Department for her encouragement of and loyalty to the students at Durham High. Her Golden Bulldog was always proudly displayed in her home. In 1985 she was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the Durham City Schools at the YWCA Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon.
Mary Albert was also very active in the community. She was a dedicated member of Grace Baptist Church throughout her lifetime, teaching Sunday School, participating in mission efforts, and serving on numerous committees. For many years, she served as Financial Advisor to the Theta Tau Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha at UNC Chapel Hill, as well as serving on the sorority’s National Financial Committee. With a passion for history, Mary Albert was a Charter Member of the Duke Homestead Foundation and an active member of their board. She was also a loyal member of the Beta Iota chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International, serving in many capacities, including president.
Mary Albert is survived by her first cousins: Virginius B. Lougee III; Edith Deyton Makepeace, and Dr. Robert Deyton and wife, Yvonne. Mary Albert was also much loved by the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of these cousins. Melinda Deyton Fox, Carol Lougee Danforth and Brent Lougee, Sr. were among these cousins who loved Mary Albert and enjoyed her knowledge of family history. In addition to these family members, she leaves a legacy of junior high, high school and college students who appreciated her commitment to their education and welfare, her work ethic, her humor, and her loyal dedication.
The family is very grateful for the kindness, grace and skill of all those who cared for Miss Ward this year at Hillcrest Convalescent Center.
Friends may visit Monday at Hall-Wynne one hour prior to the service.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00AM, on Monday, November 28, 2016 in the Chapel of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service with the Rev. Roger Underwood officiating. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.
Lena Byrd Bryant
November 23, 2016 at 9:40 amMakes me sad when I see that one of my DHS classmates has passed away .I remember Mary Albert so well . Thanks for sweet memories.
Jane Hayes
November 23, 2016 at 12:09 pmMy deepest condolences to the families who loved and enjoyed her company. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Blessings, Jane Hayes
Dana Atkinson
November 23, 2016 at 5:03 pmSending my thoughts and prayers to the family. Mary Albert was certainly a wonderful mentor to me as I served as a ZTA advisor with her at UNC-CH (Theta Tau Chapter). She will certainly be missed. ~Dana Atkinson
Janet Hassing
November 23, 2016 at 7:18 pmI was so fortunate to have met and worked with Mary Albert in ZTA as well as DKG. I loved her sense of humor and her wonderful stories that she shared about her students and life experiences. She always made me feel like I was the most important person in the room. She was a great Zeta sister and helped me feel comfortable when I first became a District President. Always had a kind word for me. I will miss you M.A. and plan to see you in the afterlife. ZLAM
Christie Hill
November 23, 2016 at 9:26 pmMary Albert meant so much to me while I was the President of Theta Tau. She gave me such wisdom and guidance. I am so sad and the family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Teresa Ewing Lovell
November 24, 2016 at 2:24 amOne of the teachers I liked best at Holton Jr. High School. She was a beautiful woman and a wonderful teacher.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Faye
November 24, 2016 at 8:01 amI am so sorry to hear of the passing of one of the greatest! As the dean of girls at Durham High, her office was always open to us, she was caring, but also very tough. Love and peace to her family.
Jan Miller
November 24, 2016 at 8:29 amThoughts and prayers for the family. Gratitude for Mary Albert Ward.
Jan Musten Miller Theta Tau Charter President UNC)
Ed Best
November 24, 2016 at 11:53 amWhat a great lady she was. I was her mailman for over 10 years and always enjoyed seeing and talking with her. She was always so welcoming and appreciative of my service to her. I have really missed seeing her at the front door. My prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Sandra Cohen
November 24, 2016 at 2:56 pmMary Albert will be remembered for her dedication to our Beta Iota chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. She remained an active and respected participant until this past year when her health issues prevented her from attending our meetings.
Sincerely,
Sandy Cohen
Darlene Rambeaut Wall
November 24, 2016 at 6:14 pmI was a student under Ms Ward at both Holton and Durham High. Being one who had to go to the office often, she always had a smile and a laugh, no matter what the infraction was. She never let me leave that office without knowing she cared for me and that she wished I wouldn’t do those things that made her have to “have a talk” with me. I have thought of her fondly over the years, and am grateful she was the loving teacher God sent my way when I needed it. May she rest in peace.
Diane Judge
November 24, 2016 at 8:50 pmFor years, I worked with Miss Ward at Durham High. My sincerest condolences go out to her family and friends.
Clay A Chandler
November 24, 2016 at 11:22 pmDear Family:
Mary Albert was an inspiration to many people. I grew up in Grace Baptist Church and Mary Albert was a trusted friend. We served on many committees together and held each other in high regard.
Mary Albert and I often had different views on how things should be done in Durham and in church. I always found her to be respectful of my opinions and on a few rare occasions we even agreed on some issues. She loved her lord , her students and Grace Baptist Church with passion. She will be missed in Durham. Mary Albert Ward made a difference and for that I will always be glad to have known her.
God bless and comfort each of you as you remember this great lady.
Joan Currin
November 25, 2016 at 5:57 amI was so fortunate to have Mary Albert Ward as Sunday School teacher at Grace Baptist
Church as well as a teacher at Carr Jr High. She truly was dedicated to history, knowledge
and teaching for so many years. My sincerest sympathy to her family and friends. I will
always have fond memories of her and appreciate the example she set for all of us.
Joanie Owen Currin (Oxford NC)
Gayle A. Taliaferro
November 25, 2016 at 3:47 pmThoughts and prayers are sent your way in remembering Ms Ward. We were both on faculty at Furham High and she was the illar of strength and fairness. I enjoyed her and looked up to her. She had an enviable work ethic. God bless you.
angela carter
November 25, 2016 at 5:20 pmMs. Ward was a good strong woman and took pride in all she did. She will be missed.
Angela Carter –
DHS 1987 Alumni
Lori Fisher Leeds
November 25, 2016 at 10:19 pmMy deepest sympathy to the entire family. Know that you are being thought of by many many people!
Thomas Vanhook, Jr.
November 26, 2016 at 11:58 amAs so many of our teachers at Durham High School, she truly represented the character and heart of a dedicated educator. She was a disciplinary, without question. However, she was a woman of high standards and was committed in instilling pride, integrity and dignity within her students. She will always be respected and honored, we will truly miss “Ma Ward”! We will always celebrate her life and legacy!
Thomas Vanhook, Jr.
DHS Class of 1978
Email: Artistry33@nc.rr.com
CAROLYN MOONEY RICHARDS PO BOX 16017 DURHAM N.C.27704
November 26, 2016 at 12:28 pmVERY LOVED TEACHER FRIEND AT CARR JR HIGH AND DHS I RENENBER YOU COMING TO THE CLASS OF 78 REUNION
Kathryn Shults Linthicum Schulz
November 26, 2016 at 5:38 pmSo very sorry for your loss. She was a special influence on alot of the youth at Durham High School. I remember her fondly.
Lisa Dempson
November 26, 2016 at 7:52 pmWow. I just received the news about Ms. Ward a few minutes ago. I was a student at Durham High that worked closely with her my junior and senior years in the late 80s. I thought of her often over the years and remember asking about her. I send my deepest heartfelt sympathy to the family. I have a lot of great memories of her from high school. The family is definitely in my prayers.
Love,
Lisa Dempson
Durham High School Class of 87
Dwight Womble
November 27, 2016 at 1:20 amI remember Mary Ward as the Assistant Principal at Durham High School. A caring person. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Sabrina P Lightfoot
November 27, 2016 at 7:47 amMy deepest condolences to your family. Ms. Ward was my Assistant Principal when I attended Durham High School from 1982-1986. She was an inspiration to me and a truly amazing woman. I remember her being the “calm” to Mr. John Thompson – the principal at that time’s “storm”. She will be sincerely missed but I know she is now resting in the arms of the angels as her work here on Earth is now done. God Bless!
Beth (Smith) Rickman
November 27, 2016 at 11:58 amMiss Ward was my Latin teacher @ Carr Jr. High. For all her efforts, I just could not “get” Latin !
This last year, we were reunited when she moved to Hillcrest as I am a volunteer working in the beauty shop. Each week, I would visit her and found her to be a “hoot”. I visited with her on Monday before she died on Tuesday.
My condolences to her family as she will be so missed. An Icon has departed from us.
Numbers 6: 24 – 26
Catherine Slaughter
November 27, 2016 at 4:34 pmDear Family,
I have such fond memories of staying at Mary Albert’s house when visiting North Carolina ZTA Chapters. She had THE most comfortable bed in her guest room which was always appreciated after sitting up 1/2 the night talking together. She really added to my life and I am grateful to have known her!
Linda (Lougee) Paschal
November 27, 2016 at 4:48 pmI knew Mary Albert through my dad, Bobby Lougee, who was her older cousin. They grew up living next door to each other. Daddy told us how Mary Albert would follow the neighbor hood boys around to play. We visited infrequently while I was growing up, but I became closer to her as an adult and learned how interesting and special she was as a person. She was so loyal to my dad when he was sick by visiting him and making him laugh. I have a feeling they are laughing together now in Heaven!
My sympathy to all her family and friends, Linda Lougee Paschal, Raleigh, NC
Alison Sowell
November 28, 2016 at 7:04 amMy condolences to the family of Ms. Mary Albert Ward. I never met her personally, but my mother was her sitter at Hillcrest. She would talk of Ms. Ward and how she was thamkful she had the chance to spend time with her and care for her. Praying for the family.
Mary Bell
November 28, 2016 at 8:32 amWe are so very sad to learn of Mary Albert’s passing. We all thought the world of her at Duke Homestead. I was a former student of her’s at Carr Junior High School many years ago and learned a lot from her. She was a wonderful person and will truly be missed by us all.
Mary Bell
Duke Homestead Education And History Corporation
Sandy Moulton
November 28, 2016 at 8:47 pmMs. Ward was my ninth grade Civics teacher at Carr Junior High and even at that young age I could tell what a special person she was. I noticed that she paid extra attention to students who weren’t the recognized scholars and made sure that they would be successful in her class. Not only did she provide them with information to be better citizens, but I know the support she gave to students who were otherwise ignored made a big difference in many lives.
Marion Ross Godfrey
November 29, 2016 at 11:15 amI, too, have great memories of Mary Albert both as my Latin teacher at Carr Junior High ’60-’61 and as the advisor for our Junior High newspaper. After she became a Zeta adviser at Carolina, we had several phone conversations about ” the state of things” while I was living in Delaware. Her sense of humor and her genuine concern for others were so outstanding! She came to my mom’s funeral in 2004, and I was so surprised and pleased to see her. She was an inspiration to me in many ways! To her cousins, I am so sorry for your loss. We were each so fortunate to have her in our lives when we did!
Yolanda Murray
November 30, 2016 at 8:01 amRest In Peace Miss Ward. I will never forget you. You were sometimes strict, but you kept your cheerleaders on point. Thank you
DeBerniere & Janette Robertson
January 6, 2017 at 3:55 pmSuch sad news. I knew Mary Albert as my mother’s (Polly Robertson) dear & best friend socially & professionally, first at Holton & then at Durham High where both were on faculty for many years. Both joyfully worked together with the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at UNC. I am forever indebted to Mary Albert for the fun, friendship, affection, & concern she freely shared with my mom especially in the later years of my mom’s life. Since 2007 I no longer have family in Durham & rarely have occasion to visit. During my most recent visit, a 60th Durham High reunion in late August 2015, Mary Albert was able to join me, my wife, & others for lunch at Bullock’s–how delightful! We’d not had contact since & unfortunately, were unaware of her death until today after our Christmas card to her was returned.
Our belated condolences to the family. But rest assured that wherever Mary Albert’s spirit now dwells, my mom’s is sure to be close by. And that place is certain to be quite lively.