Maude Elizabeth Ware

Funeral services for Mrs. Maude Elizabeth McMillan Ware, 88 years old will be conducted along with a memorial for Bennie Ware. He was not able to have a service due to Covid-19 after he passed away on March 23, 2020. The service will be on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 11am. at Liberty Baptist Church, 2824 Old Highway 80, Forest, MS with Dr. David Rives and Bro. Jerry Holmes officiating and Dr. Larry Rigby, Organist and Mrs. Nona Renaud, Pianist. Interment will follow in the Salem Cemetery in Lake, MS under the direction of Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Forest. Pallbearers will be Stephen Myers, Cody Sorey, Tyler Sorey, Ryan Sorey, Boyd Ware and Steve Ware. 

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Forest, MS. Maude Elizabeth was born on December 8, 1936, to Ephraim A. McMillan and Lydia W. McMillan. She passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and entered the arms of her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Her family rejoices that she no longer suffers and has received her new body with her Savior. She was a graduate of Goodhope School and attended Clarke College Bookkeeping School in Newton, MS.

She met and married Bennie M. Ware on September 8, 1961, and they had three children, Greg Ware (Lee) of Forest, Tina Ware of Forest, Brad Ware (Tonya) of Brandon and grandsons BenWare and Jay Ware.

Maude worked at Red Hat Poultry Company in her early days. After having children, she worked part time as Bookkeeper at Cooksey Builders and for her nephew and niece Gene and Kathy Myers at Myers Auto Repair. After her son, Greg, became owner of Family Discount Drugs, she continued to work, keep books and greet customers until the store was sold in 2011 and that is when she began her official retirement. She did continue to work with her sisters at Sorey Tire Company so that she could spend time with them. Maude is the last “McMillan Sister” and family member of the E.A. McMillan immediate family to join all their family in heaven.

Maude and Bennie lived on Noblin Hill their entire married life where they enjoyed vegetable gardening and farm life as they raised their three children. They were able to share a blessed life with all of the sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and a countless number of friends. Family was a very important part of their life as was serving the Lord at their church. Maude could be found reading her Bible daily and was devoted to the church where Bennie served as a deacon for over 60 years. She served at both Good Hope Baptist Church and Liberty Baptist Church. Her service to the Lord and His church were the most important aspects of her life. She truly epitomized the "Proverbs 31" woman. "Strength and honor are her clothing and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." (Proverbs 31; 25-27). She lived her faith daily as she walked with God. Maude Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband Bennie; and also her parents Ephraim and Lydia McMillan. She was also preceded in death by siblings, including Velma Woods, Robert McMillan, Emmitt McMillan, Clarence "Buster" McMillan, O.Z. McMillan, J.T. McMillan, Clois Rigby, Ruth Eichelberger, Irma Jewel Mayes and Blanche Sorey. She is survived by a host of nieces and nephews that she loved as well as her own. The family would like to express their appreciation to the nurses and aides of the Lackey Convalescent Home and Dr. John Paul Lee for the care they provided for Maude in her last days.