Versie Opal Ard

Versie Opal Ard passed from this life to be with Jesus, her Savior, on the morning of June 24, 2024. At the time of her death, she was a resident of Sodalis Defuniak Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care.

Born in the Hacoda community in rural Geneva County, AL on May 19, 1932, Versie was the youngest child, and only daughter, to William Lee and Pinkey Eleander Aplin Ard. She attended Gaskin School, Hacoda Jr. High School, and graduated Samson High School in 1949. After graduation, she attended Massey-Draughon Business College in Montgomery, Alabama, and, in 1952, she was employed with Fisher Hardware Company in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, where she remained until the company ceased operation.

In her role with that firm, she was recognized as a business leader long before that was a common title awarded to women. In1987, she embarked on a second career when she was employed by Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. She retired from there in 2001. Versie’s retirement afforded her time to devote to Tri-County Council on Aging, providing elderly in her community with transportation, meals, and other assistance.

As a young woman, Versie was an avid softball player and enjoyed fishing, whether the local lakes or fish ponds on family property. A member of Liberty Baptist Church, she is a legendary figure, known and beloved by all in her community and the area across the state line in Alabama where she was born and raised. She adored all of her brothers, and, with no children of her own, her niece and three nephews were the center of her world. As they all started families of their own, her love and devotion was extended to their families as well.

Versie is preceded in death by her parents and all three brothers, Henry Dalton Ard (1944), Herman Ray Ard (2007), and Oakland Lee Ard (2018), along with sisters-in-law Margaret Spann Ard (1986), Marian Watts Ard (2005), and Jacqlyn Stewart Ard (2019). She is survived by nephews and niece: Freddy (Vesta) Ard, Jacque (Warren) Yeager, Ronnie (Bonnie) Ard, and Tim (Russ) Ard, great nieces and nephews: Kelli (Robert) Combs, Taylor (Taylor) Ard, Ryan (Brigette) Yeager, Brandon Ard, Dalton (Kelly) Ard, Jeffrey Ard, Ashton (Nick) Larson, Travis (Brandy) Parker, and Abby (Chris) Schell, 2nd great nieces and nephews: Jacob (Jessi) Combs, Jackson (Anna Jo) Combs, R.J. (Aviana) Yeager, Drew Yeager, Hailey Ard, Caleb (Bailey) Ard, Eisley Ard, Aplin Ard, Inslee Irby, Anderson Irby, Lydia Schell, Ben Schell, Owen Larson, Wesley Larson, J.J. Larson, Eliott Larson, Sophie Parker, Preston Parker, and Bella Parker, and 3rd great nieces and nephews: Madi Combs, Cara Combs, Elah Ventry, and Hudson Lee Ard. .

Versie’s family would like to express grateful appreciation to Juile Elio, her friend and hairdresser, Barbara Hicks, the staff of Sodalis Defuniak Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Kristen, Beth, Camile, Kate, and Cynthia of Gentiva Hospice for the loving and compassionate care they provided.

A service, officiated by Wesley Ard and Lyle Seigler, is scheduled for 10AM Saturday, June 29, 2024, at McDonald Family Funeral Home chapel. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00PM Friday, June 28, 2024 at McDonald Family Funeral Home chapel.