Laura Eve Harward Bedsworth

Laura Eve Harward Bedsworth, 57, died peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, May 6, 2017, in Greenville.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Bethel United Methodist Church, officiated by the pastor, the Rev. Dennis Peay.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the Victoria Cemetery in Marshallberg,
Laura was born in Vallejo, Calif., on Feb. 29, 1960, to the late Joseph R. Harward Jr., Captain USMC-Ret., and Olga Mary Harward. She grew up in Hubert, N.C., and attended Swansboro schools, Coastal Carolina Community College and East Carolina University. Her career as director of operations for Burger King spanned more than 30 years. Laura attended both her childhood church, St. Mildred's Catholic Church, and as an adult, Bethel United Methodist Church, and was a daughter of Christ.
Laura was the beloved wife of Ellis Jennings Bedsworth Jr. "Jay" for 29 years and devoted mother to Morgan Nicole Bedsworth of Greenville. She also is survived by her brothers and sisters, Joseph R. Harward III, divisional sales manager, S.C. E&G, and wife, Kay, of Coward, S.C., Cynthia Harward Fordham, teacher, Ravenscroft School, and husband, Steve, of Raleigh, Phillip D. Harward, Major, USMC-Ret., and wife, Melanie, of Bradenton, Fla., Karen Harward Grace, RN, Duke, of Durham, Malcolm E. Harward, Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, and wife, Kim, of Colora, Md.; and Mary-Jo Harward Jackson, homemaker, and husband, Lee, of Wilmington.
Laura was the daughter-in-law to the late Rev. Ellis Jennings Bedsworth Sr. and is survived by her mother-in-law, Mrs. Betty Ann Bedsworth; and sister-in-law, Brenda Bedsworth Estes and husband, Ron, of Greenville. Laura also was loved deeply by her many nieces and nephews as well as her close circle of longtime devoted friends known as the "Old Creek 8," as well as many other close friends, church family and co-workers through the years.
Laura was passionate about life and lived it to the fullest each day. She loved spending time with family and friends, Duke basketball, ECU Pirate football, going to the beach, photography and preserving life's special moments. She also was an avid reader, had put her crafting skills to work creating scrapbooks, enjoyed playing sports and anything that included friendly competition, having supper club with friends, eating with loved ones at Mazatlan, and being at each and every important moment in her daughter Morgan's life. She has touched many people's lives in so many ways and will be missed beyond words by those left behind. We know that Laura is with her Lord and Savior, and we will see her again one day and know that Laura will be watching over us and sharing our memories through the years in peace from Heaven.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Wilkerson Funeral Home, Greenville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice, P.O. Box 8489, Greenville, NC 27835. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.