Obituary

Sharon Gayle Lang Ard

October 24, 1942 - November 15, 2025

“A life lived in service, a heart shaped by grace.”

On November 15, 2025, our cherished mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Sharon Gayle Lang Ard, left this earthly life and entered the presence of her Heavenly Father. Her passing was sudden and deeply heartbreaking for all who loved her. Sharon lived a life defined by compassion, strength, and generosity. She gave of herself completely—her time, her talent, her wisdom, and above all, her heart. While our world is forever changed without her, our lives are forever better because she was part of them. The kindness she modeled, the faith she lived, and the love she poured out will guide us for the rest of our days.

Born on October 24, 1942, in Bogalusa, Louisiana, to Seldon and Beulah Mae Lang, Sharon grew up with a deep sense of family and purpose. A proud graduate of Pine High School, she began her journey raising three young children before answering a powerful calling to nursing. With determination and a passion for helping others, she returned to school and earned her LPN from Sullivan Technical School in Bogalusa. She then advanced her training by earning her ADN from Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, marking her first step as an RN. Never one to stop learning or striving, Sharon went on to earn her B.S.N. from Southeastern Louisiana University and ultimately achieved her Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Her nursing career was nothing short of extraordinary. Sharon served in numerous roles—caregiver, leader, mentor, and educator—with grace, skill, and a true servant’s heart. Though she spent many years in nursing management, her greatest joy came in her later years as a nursing instructor at Southwest Community College in Summit, Mississippi. There, she helped establish the innovative LPN-to-RN “Bridge Program,” encouraging and uplifting her students just as she did everyone she met. She nurtured her students like family, always investing her heart where it mattered most. In recognition of her devotion and excellence, she was honored as a “Great 100 Nurse” in 1993. She was also a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Theta Tau.

Sharon’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was an active and devoted member of Bogalusa First Baptist Church, where she sang joyfully in the choir and participated in numerous ministries and church programs. She found great joy and fellowship with her book club, the Ingleside Quorum, the Spinners adult group, Rick Brown’s Senior Couples Sunday School Class, her dear pokeno group, and as a former member of the Red Hat Ladies Club. Everywhere she went, Sharon created community. Her laughter, humility, and gentle spirit drew people in and made them feel cherished.

Above all, Sharon loved her family with her whole heart. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert Ard, and her children: Lisa (Robert) Sprehe, Jeffery Hamilton Miley, Michael Christopher Miley, and her stepson Stephen (Dawn) Ard.

She leaves behind a beautiful, multigenerational legacy in her grandchildren; Robyn (Charles) Krzykwa, Robert Ryan Sprehe, Paige (Glynn) Gerald, Matthew Miley, Buddy Miley, Madelyne (Brennan) Booth, Michael (Skylar) Miley, Claudia (Kendra) Miley, and Jade (Sean) Winn; and her step-grandchildren Stephanie (Jimmy) Gilliland and Zach (Sarah) Ard; Her great-grandchildren—Charlie, Gabe, and Alex Krzykwa; William Sprehe; L. J. Miley and Levi Autin; Chloe, Patrick, and Paxton Winn; Royce Gerald; Kylie Pond; Morgan Dean Miley; Lorna Ard; and Arden and Aiden Gilliland—brought her immeasurable joy. Sharon was especially excited about the upcoming arrival of her granddaughter Madelyne Booth’s baby girl, due this Spring. She is also survived by her treasured sister Bob Ann Breland, her brother Mike Lang, and her beloved sister- and brother-in-law Betty and Jimmy Landry, along with her First Baptist Church family and many dear friends, nieces, and nephews.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Seldon and Beulah Mae Lang; her brother Bill Lang; sister-in-law Daisy Lang; brother-in-law Robert Breland; and her loyal canine companion KC.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 17, from 5:00–9:00 PM, and Tuesday beginning at 10:00 AM, with services at 2:00 PM, all at First Baptist Church of Bogalusa. Interment will follow at Lang-Simmons Cemetery in Sheridan.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Bogalusa Choir Fund, a ministry Sharon loved deeply.

Her kindness touched countless lives. Her faith shaped her steps. Her love continues through every person she cared for, every student she encouraged, every family member she cherished. Sharon’s legacy is one of compassion, strength, grace, and a love that will echo for generations.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.