Beatrice Ozella Ward Creighton, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, wife, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026, at the age of 100.

Bea was born on April 24, 1926, in Ripley, Mississippi, to Arthur Ward and Lillian Bell Ward. She was one of nine children and was raised surrounded by family and the values that would remain important to her throughout her life.

In 1949, Bea moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where she began building her life and raising her family. She married Eugene Bennett, and together they had three daughters. In 1978, Bea met and married Lee Creighton, with whom she shared many happy years.

Bea dedicated part of her life to caring for children as a daycare teacher at Alta Woods Baptist Church Daycare. She had a natural love for children and enjoyed the opportunity to nurture and care for them.

She was a woman who found great joy in the simple pleasures of life. Bea loved gardening, playing cards, dominoes, and crocheting. She also loved to cook, and her children and grandchildren will lovingly tell you that she was the best cook ever. Many cherished family memories were made around her kitchen table, enjoying the meals she prepared with love.

Most of all, Bea loved spending time with her friends and family. Her family was precious to her, and she treasured every opportunity to be together with those she loved.

Her faith was also at the center of her life. Lakeshore Congregational Methodist Church was deeply important to Bea and held a special place in her heart. Her church family, her faith, and her devotion to her family were among the greatest blessings of her life.

Bea was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Lillian Bell Ward; her eight brothers and sisters; her grandson, Chris Butts; her granddaughter, Kimberly Stansell; and her beloved husband, Lee Creighton.

She leaves behind a beautiful family to cherish her memory, including her three daughters, Nelda Luckett (Billy), Nita Butts (Charlie), and Peggy Stansell (Jerry).  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Scott Stansell, Cole Taylor (Missy), Tim Stansell, Cliff Butts (Vanessa), Bryon Stansell (Alaina), and David Butts (CeCe).  Her legacy of faith, family, love, and devotion continues through her nine great-grandchildren: Chandler Butts, Laney Butts, Cainen Butts, Braelyn Butts, Ainslee Taylor, Emery Taylor, Logan Stansell, Matthew Stansell, and Collin Stansell; and her four great-great-grandchildren: Ozzy Butts, Miles Butts, Colson Butts, and Vivian Stansell.

Bea will be remembered for her warm heart, her wonderful cooking, her many talents, her love of family gatherings, and the countless memories she created throughout her long and beautiful life.

Though her family will deeply miss her presence, the love she gave them will remain in their hearts and continue through the generations she leaves behind.

Visitation at Chancellor Funeral Home – Byram on Sunday, August 16, 2026, 2-3pm. A Memorial Service following Visitation to begin at 3pm..