Frances L. Ward

Mrs. Frances L. Ward, age 88 of Toone, Tennessee passed away Wednesday morning, January 9, 2019 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

Services will be held 1:00 pm, Tuesday, January 15, 2019 in the Shackelford Chapel in Bolivar with Dr. Yvonne Allen, Lieutenant General (Retired) John H. Castellaw, Reverend Anthony Vaughan and State Representative Johnny Shaw officiating. Burial is in Rainey Cemetery in Toone. Casket bearers were James Shaw, Commander Sergeant Major (Retired) James E. Spencer, Todd Pulse, Josh Pulse, Bobby Boyle, Lieutenant General (Retired) John H. Castellaw and Sergeant Major Larry Prince.

She was born in Toone and was the daughter of the late Alva Porter Ozment and Pearl May Young Ozment Marsh. A 1948 graduate of Bolivar Central High School, she married Mr. William Thomas "Rick" Ward on December 31, 1955. They were married for 51 years at the time of his passing on November 22, 2007. Additionally, she was preceded in death by her brother Guy Thomas "Buddy" Ozment and step-father, William R. Marsh.

Mrs. Ward had lived in Memphis, Ft. Campbell, KY, Germany, Fayetteville, NC, Panama and Ft. Sam Houston as she followed her husband during his career as a First Sergeant in the US Army. She returned to live in Toone in 1970 upon his retirement.

Mrs. Frances had attended Draughon Business College and was a sales manager for Sears Roebuck Co. from 1970-1993. After her retirement, she volunteered at Whiteville Elementary School where she worked closely with Dr. Yvonne Allen for over 20 years. Mrs. Ward was active as a teacher's assistant, substitute teacher and served as chairperson for multiple programs at the school. She had a great impact on the lives of many children. She also did volunteer work at Rose Hill Middle School, Liberty High School, AB Hill School in Memphis at JCT Middle School. She worked with James Shaw and coordinated summer youth basketball programs for those from Hardeman and surrounding counties.

Mrs. Ward was chairperson of the Hardeman County Veterans Day Program for over 10 years. A non-partisan political activist, she was a member of the local NAACP serving on their executive board and coordinating their annual banquet. She also enjoyed helping her daughter with projects with the Jackson Symphony League.

A member of Toone Baptist Church, she had been Sunday School Superintendent, a Sunday School Teacher and leader in various youth groups including Team Kids. She also enjoyed attending Union Hill Baptist Church in Whiteville, TN.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Ward Ridenhour and her husband, Perry, of Jackson; a sister-in-law, Diane Ward of Whiteville, NC; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be sent to Toone Baptist Church, Union Hill Baptist Church or Kirkland Cancer Center.