Virginia Vivian Ard
March 30, 1939 – September 30, 2025
Virginia “Vivian” Ard, 86, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 30, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Florence LaNelle Kees and William Henry Jones.
Vivian spent much of her childhood on her grandparents’ farm in Fair Oaks Springs, Mississippi, where she developed her lifelong love of gardening, animals, and the simple joys of farm life. Among her most treasured memories were listening to her uncles tell family stories on the porch, and visiting the fields with her grandfather. At age four, she picked cotton in a handmade sack all summer to earn a pair of red shoes—a story she cherished all her life.
Her early years instilled resilience and a deep faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ. She attended Catholic school in Brookhaven, Mississippi, where her testimony began to grow, and later Copiah-Lincoln college in Mississippi, where she made many friends and was a college cheerleader, known for her bright red hair and her genuine warmth.
In May 1958, she married Tom Swilley, and together they raised four children: John Floyd Swilley (Laurel), Elizabeth LaNelle Sheridan (Pete), Kim Louise Edwards (Jerry), and Jean Carolyn Coombs (Jeff). Vivian’s greatest joy was her family. She poured love into the lives of her children and grandchildren- each of whom knew they were her “favorite.”
In 1982, she married Nathan Eugene Ard, and together they served in the Raleigh North Carolina Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as completing two full-time missions in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Vivian dedicated decades to service in Relief Society, Young Women, Primary, and Seminary. Most recently, she loved teaching Gospel Doctrine, where her classroom was always full as she helped others feel the Savior’s love.
She also enjoyed her career managing physician practices and remained close to many colleagues, including Dr. Kenneth Banks and her “best friend” Dr. Glendale Moore.
Vivian will be remembered for her unwavering positivity, her ability to make everyone feel seen and valued, and her continual reminder to “count your many blessings.”
She is survived by her four children, stepson Nathan Eugene Ard Jr., and her 18 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandson, her sisters Vicki Barber (Danny) and Debbe Bowman, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Nathan Eugene Ard, her precious grandson Noah Thomas Coombs, and by her parents.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Interment will follow at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 3, 2025, at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens in Zebulon, North Carolina.
Arrangments are with Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. 3rd St., Wendell, NC, 27591. www.stricklandfuneral.com.
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While in the MTC for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I meant Vivian through her daughter Jean. Sister Swiley.as she was known to me at the time and myself were companions. One day I got news that my 4 1/2 month old nephew suddenly died and Sister Swilley and Mama Ard went to work on me to build me up and encourage me to not give up in going to Norway on my mission. Her letter to me was spot on and still remembered to this day by me. I feel saddened to know Mama Ard is gone, but know she is up there with Noah, my nephew Mark and my sister who just recently passed away and gets to see her son. Families are forever and I am grateful to know Mama Ard back in 1986.
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