Gail "Kiki" Ward

Augusta, GA –Mrs. Mary Gail Armstrong Ward, “Kiki,” 72, loving wife of the late Laurence Joseph Ward, Jr. “Jojo”, entered into rest on Saturday, February 13, 2021. Born July 3, 1948 in Charleston, SC, she was the oldest daughter of the late Edmund Allen Armstrong and Mary Cecilia Conlon Armstrong.

Gail attended Bishop England High School and Palmer College in Charleston, SC, where she was named “Miss Palmer College.” She moved to Augusta in 1971 and became a devoted full-time mother to her three children, who adored her. She then embarked on a fun and fulfilling retail career which included Belk, Colette, J.B. White, Dillard’s and finally Talbots, where she made many good friends over her 20+ years there. She was the epitome of style and grace. She also worked for the Augusta National Golf Club, and was getting ready for the 2021 Tournament. Gail was also a faithful member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church for almost 50 years, participating in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament almost every Saturday night for 22 years.

She married Jojo, the love of her life, and enjoyed the happiest years of her life. They loved the Isle of Palms, trips to the Ward family mountain retreat in North Carolina, and weekly trips to Lowe’s. They are reunited in heaven and enjoying the ultimate barbeque buffet. But her greatest accomplishment was becoming a grandmother and she was given the name Kiki by her namesake granddaughter Mary Gail. She adored her grandchildren and could always be counted on for Blue Bell ice cream, shopping trips til the stores closed, and the most delicious macaroni and cheese. Her favorite time of year was Christmas, and she would decorate her house with all of their nutcrackers, Santas and beautiful decorations. Christmas at Kiki and Jojo’s was an experience, not just a holiday, and she and Jojo shared a love of all things Christmas. It just wasn’t Christmas unless you were at Kiki and Jojo’s.

Family members include her children, Melinda Ward Dansby (Jamey), Amy Waite Riley (Gene Page), Kelly Waite Dobson (Dicky), and Billy Waite; her grandchildren who were the light of her life: Lauren Dansby Henthorn, James Brey Dansby, and Mary Gail Kershaw Riley; her great-grandchildren: Matthew Wells Henthorn and James Andrew Henthorn. In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her sons: John Thurman Ward and Laurence Patrick Ward; her parents: Edmund and Mary Armstrong; and her sisters: Margaret Armstrong Miller and Patricia Armstrong Priester. Pallbearers will be: Frank Ward, Jamey Dansby, Brey Dansby, Gene Page, Dickey Dobson, Michael Miller, Ricky Priester.

The funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Ross as celebrant. Interment will follow in Westover Memorial Park. Please follow COVID-19 protocol and wear a mask to both the visitation and the funeral.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Dr., Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601.

The family will receive friends Thursday, February 18 from 5:30 until 7:00 P.M., and friends are invited to pray the Rosary from 5:00 – 5:30, at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com