Gwendolyn Whitehurst Ward, of Conetoe, died Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Gwen accomplished much during her life, including being distinguished as Miss Tarboro of 1968, and a Meredith College graduate.  After college, she began her teaching career at Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC.

In 1974, she married Alva Hill Ward, III, and they made their home together in Surf City, NC.  There she worked in the family real estate business, maintaining her real estate license throughout her life.

After her husband's passing, she moved back to the Tarboro area to take care of her parents and was actively involved in the community.  Gwen was an avid reader and loved spending time at the library.  She worked with several community organizations including:

The Historical Society of Topsail Island

The Topsail Island Association of Realtors

The American Association of University Women

St. Anne's Guild of St. James Parish

St John's Museum of Art Guild in Wilmington

Tar River Players of Tarboro

The Garden Club of North Carolina

Gwen was also active in multiple book clubs, tutored children of all ages, and was a substitute teacher for Edgecombe County.

Gwen is predeceased by her husband, Alva Hill Ward, III, and parents, Thomas and Catherine "Peggy" Whitehurst.

She is survived by her Aunt Nancy Whitehurst, cousins, Pamela Whitehurst Johnson, George Whitehurst, Jonathan Armstrong, Jennifer Armstrong and Paul Armstrong, as well as many other cousins and a multitude of friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gwen's memory to the Edgecombe County Memorial Library, 909 Main Street, Tarboro, NC 27886 or to the Tar River Players through the donation button on their site at tarriverplayers.org.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to Carlisle Funeral Home of Tarboro.