Mildred Simon Ware

Mildred Simon was born Sept 26, 1927, in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, to Luella Jean Simien and Simon Simien. She was their eldest child. Mildred spent much of her early life in Beaumont, Texas. Throughout her life, her Catholic faith and education were important to her. As a youth, she attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Beaumont. In the early 1940s, Mildred graduated from Beaumont’s Charlton-Pollard High School as the Valedictorian of her class.

After high school, she attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. At Wiley, Mildred would meet and fall in love with Dennis Clarence Ware II. She and Dennis were married in Jefferson, Texas, on March 7, 1947, and were inseparable until Dennis Ware’s passing in 2013. After a short stay in Dallas, the young couple would lay roots in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Wares built a home and raised six children in the tight-knit Goosport neighborhood of Lake Charles, where they were active and beloved members of their community.

Mildred was also very involved in the local Catholic Church and various social and political endeavors. She was a dedicated member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church on Mill Street for over 75 years. Mildred was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and was the last surviving founding member of the Zeta Psi Omega Chapter, Lake Charles’ graduate chapter of her beloved sorority. The advancement of black people and social justice were priorities for Mildred and her husband. Mildred stood as a bedrock for her family as they dealt with the difficulties and racism of the Civil Rights era. She maintained a household of dignity and strength as her family endured a cross being burned in their front yard. Yet, she remained steadfast and dedicated to her beliefs. She was instrumental in her beloved children becoming pioneers of public-school integration. She overcame evil with good (Romans 12:21). She was good.

Mildred believed that education and kindness could change the world. She was a career educator. She spent years working for the Lake Charles school system, was Program Coordinator at the Walker's Recreation Center, and a Teacher’s Assistant at Episcopal Day School. Even when she worked outside the home, she was a full-time homemaker. Mildred catered to her husband, her children, and extended family members. She cooked from scratch, turned cloth into clothes, created ceramic art pieces, and decorated her home according to the season. Her home was modest, but welcoming, and it was often full of friends, family, and important people from the community…. from mechanics and fishermen, to professors, politicians and artists. Mildred, well into her 80s and early 90s, could engage in a friendly debate about the politics of the time or pop-culture. Mildred’s red kitchen table became known to many as the best place in town for motherly encouragement, good conversation, coffee with pastries, and a delicious bowl of red beans, gumbo, or her signature crawfish bisque.

Mildred Ware received her heavenly wings on August 23, 2026. She was resting peacefully in the same home where she raised her children when God, whispered, “Come with me, your work here is done.” She will be missed for her loving spirit and generosity. She was truly one of a kind. She exemplified God’s grace, comfort and goodness.

Mildred is preceded in death by her husband, Dennis C. Ware II; her mother, Luella Jean Simien; her father, Simon Simien; one son, Rodney B. Ware; newborn twin girls and daughter, Melverte Frances Jones (Billy); sisters, Ruby Simon Devault, Margaret Simien McTier, Francis Simien, and Mary Ann Simien Ned.

Mildred leaves to cherish her loving memory: three sons, Dennis C. Ware III, Judge Ronald F. Ware (Ret.) (Troye), and Reginald C. Ware (Ernestine); one daughter, Deborah G. Ware; daughter-in-law, Gwen Ware; sisters-in-law, Cinderella Hayes (Al) and Clara Ware (Charles); brothers-in-law, Matthew Ware Ph.D., George Ware, Moses Ware I (Diana), and Boyce Ware; sisters, Rose Malveaux, Mazie Malveaux; brother, John Semien (Squessta Marie), a bounty of grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and loved ones.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate the legacy of Mildred on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 8:00 A.M to 10:45 A.M. with the Rosary being said by The Chrisitan Mother's and The Ivory Beyond the Wall Ceremony with her beloved Sorotity Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated. The Mass of Chrisitian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She will be laid to rest in Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of Combre Funeral Home.