Mrs. Barbara Ward, age 87, of Santa Claus, died Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Oxley Park Health and Rehabilitation in Lyons, after an extended illness. She was a native of Montgomery County, lived most her life in Santa Claus, and retired as a loan officer from Toombs Financing after twenty years of service. Barbara was a member of Freewill Baptist Church, attended the Adult Sunday School Class, and loved tending to her flowers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Ward; daughter, Paula Sue Ward, granddaughter, Jennifer Joyner; two brothers, Keith Thigpen and Van Thigpen; and one sister, Marilyn Wooten.
Mrs. Ward is survived by her three children, Roger Ward of Walton County, Kathy Joyner and husband John, and Wayne Ward all of Santa Claus; two grandchildren, Abby Ward of Athens and Ashley Tant of Lyons; four great grandchildren, Alexandria Herrin and husband David of Baxley, Caitlin Kitchens of Baxley, Lily Tant of Lyons, and Daniel Tant of Lyons; great-great grandson, Noah Herrin of Baxley; and three special grandchildren, Bryson Benton, Ty Benton, and Ashalyn Benton all of Baxley.
The family will receive friends at Freewill Baptist Church on Monday morning from 10:00 until just prior to the service.
The funeral service will be held Monday, October 30th at 11:00 am at Freewill Baptist Church with Reverend Rick Wilson officiating. The burial will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
The pallbearers are David Thigpen, Matt Thigpen, Nolan Thigpen, Jeff Thigpen, Danny Dixon, and Steve Williams
Wilkes Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of the arrangements.
