Ward Francis Smith

Ward Francis Smith, age 79, of Long Island, NY, passed away on April 29, 2017 in Moss Point, MS. Ward was born in Glen Cove, Long Island, NY and grew up in Locust Valley, NY. A graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, he continued his naval career as a LTJG Navy Pilot. He went on to become nuclear submarine test and trials engineer at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS. He settled his family in Moss Point, MS for many years. He finished out his career as the Southeastern Region Senior Resident Inspector for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. At retirement he and his wife moved to her family home in Klondike, MS. In 2011, they moved back to the Gulf Coast to be near their daughters in Ocean Springs, MS and Spanish Fort, AL. Ward is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara A. Smith; his brother, Donald H. Smith; and his parents, June L. and William H. Smith. Survivors include his daughters, Susan A. Barbee and Deborah K. Cocco; his brother, Robert L. Smith; his sisters-in-law, Charlotte W. Adams and Rebecca W. Sparks; his sons-in-law, Robert L. Barbee and Faustino A. Cocco; his four grandchildren, Adam Keenum, Adrienne Cocco, Alyssa Cocco, and Magdalena Barbee; his one great-grandchild, Adrianna Keenum; his five nieces, Teresa Stephens, Brenda Senseney, Lisa Coursey, Joann Larson, and Samantha Smith; his three nephews, Chuck Ward, Billy Smith, and Bobby Smith; his one aunt, Carlena Wilson; and one first cousin, Susie Bibby. A visitation will be held at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, on Friday, May 5, 2017, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Memorial service will immediately follow, Dr. J. Michael Barnett, Pastor will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the National Parkinson Foundation www://parkinson.org.