FRANCIS LUCILLE WARD
1917-2013
JOHNSON COUNTY
Francis Lucille Walters Ward, 96, of Williamsport, died Wednesday, May
8.
Born Feb. 26, 1917, in Johnson County, she was the daughter of the
late Wellington and Mary Margaret Penix Walters. She was a homemaker.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Estill Ward; a
daughter, Loris Preston; four brothers, Elmer Walters, Wellington
Walters,Jr., Lafe Walters and James Walters; and three sisters,
Gertrude Mollette, Hazel Penix and Margaret Walters.
Survivors include two sons, Donald Ward of Manchester, Mich., and
James Phillip Ward of Bentonville; two sisters, Wanda Lou Mollett of
Williamsport and Berneda Fay Powers of Manchester; three brothers,
Shady Lee Walters of Delbarton, W.Va., Frank Walters of Miamisburg,
Ohio, and Raymold Walters of Williamsport; nine grandchildren; 16
great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Friday, May 10, at Jones-Preston Funeral Home
Chapel, with Ronald Mills, Carlos Preston, Bernard Johnson, and Robert
Mollett, Jr., officiating.
Burial was in Highland Memorial Park, Staffordsville, under direction
of Jones-Preston Funeral Home, Paintsville.
Big Sandy News
Wednesday
May 15 2013
Francis Lucille Walters Ward, age 96, of Williamsport, Kentucky,
passed away Wednesday, May 8th, at her daughter’s home.
Lucille was born February 26th, 1917 at Greasy in Johnson County,
Kentucky, daughter of the late Wellington and Mary Margaret Penix
Walters.
She was married on September 21st, 1935 to Estill Ward. To this union
were born three daughters: Loris Lee, Berneda Fay, and Wanda Lou; and
two sons, Donald Ray and James Phillip.
Her husband of 59 years, Estill, passed away on December 3rd, 1994.
Her daughter, Loris Preston, also preceded her in death on July 3rd,
1985; and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Ward on April 25th, 2011. She was
preceded in death by four brothers and their spouses, Elmer and Mae
Walters, Wellington, Jr. and Elizabeth Walters, Lafe and Jean Walters,
James and Cora Lee Walters, sister-in-law, Reva (Mickey) Walters, in
addition three sisters and spouses also preceded her in death:
Gertrude and Jim Mollett, Hazel and Ingram Penix; and an infant
sister, Margaret Vivian Walters.
Surviving is son-in-law, Donald Preston of Ypsilanti, Michigan;
daughter Fay Powers and husband, David of Manchester, Michigan, sons:
Donald Ward of Manchester, Michigan; and Phillip Ward and his wife,
Charlene of Bentonville, Arkansas; daughter, Wanda Mollett and
husband, Robert, Jr. of Williamsport, Kentucky. She had nine
grandchildren: Dan (Nancy) Powers, Debbie (James) Charles, Kevin
(Cindy) Ward, Sheree (Greg) Brown, Donna Preston, Christy (David)
Vigo, Kim (Bill) Brunkhardt, Michelle (Tony) Vigo, and Byron (Tina)
Mollett. She has sixteen grandchildren and six great-great
grandchildren.
Lucille also has three surviving brothers: Shady Lee Walters of
Delbarton, West Virginia, Frank (Anita) Walters of Miamisburg, Ohio,
and Raymond (Donna) Walters of Williamsport, Kentucky; brother-in-law
and sister-in-law, Arby and Faye Ward of Tipp City, Ohio; and a host
of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Lucille was a homemaker and store clerk for many years before entering
the work force. She retired as a cafeteria supervisor from the Johnson
County School System in 1980.
Lucille was converted on February 10th, 1930, and was a faithful
member of the United Baptist Church for 83 years. Her membership at
the time of death was with the Favored United Baptist Church, at
Cherryville, Kentucky. Estill and Lucille were deacons of the Buffalo
United Baptist Church from 1969 until his death in 1994. The church
was a very important part of their lives. Her joy came from feeding
the church crowd at her home for many years.
She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She may be
gone from our presence, but she will live on in our hearts and
memories. Many times throughout the years, someone visiting her would
tell her they loved her as they departed, and she would always reply,
“I love you, too. I love everybody.” She was truly an inspiration to
all who knew her. It was evident that she had a will to live and that
God’s will be done in her life always. We think the scripture as in II
Timothy Chapter 4:7-8 fits her best:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept
the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at
that day: and not to me only, but unto all then also that love his
appearing.”
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 10th, 2013
in the Jones-Preston Funeral Chapel with Elders Ronald Mills, Carlos
Preston, Bernard Johnson and Robert Mollett, Jr. officiating. Burial
will follow at Highland Memorial Park, Staffordsville, Kentucky.
Friends may call at Jones-Preston Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. until
9:00 p.m. Thursday, May 9th, 2013 and after 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May
10th, 2013 until time of service at 11:00 a.m.