Doris Faith Vernon Ward

Doris Faith Vernon Ward, 95 years of age, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2010, at Vienna Village Retirement Community where she has resided for the past 6 years. Doris was born in Winston-Salem February 17, 1914 and was graduated from Reynolds High School in 1930. She was preceded in death by her husband William Wright Ward, having been married to him for 63 years; her son Robert Wayne Ward of Moore, SC; her parents, James Robert Vernon and Sara Elizabeth Proctor Vernon; her sisters Ruby Smith and Roberta Franklin; her brothers Wilson and James; and her sister-in-law, Thelma Ward McMillan.Surviving family includes her sister Esther Hedgecock, a daughter, Peggy Ward Miller and her husband William (Billy) B. Miller, Sr.; son Colonel Larry N. Ward, USMC (Ret) and wife Nina Duncan Ward of Charleston, SC; and daughter-in-law Alyce Walker Ward of Moore, SC. Additionally, there are 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great, great granddaughter. To her many nieces and nephews, she was affectionately known as “Aunt Dot.”Doris was a Moravian and a lifelong member of Fries Memorial Moravian Church with the exception of a 6 year period where she was among the original members of John Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston, SC, where she had moved with her family when her husband’s employment with National Linen Service took the family to the Low Country of South Carolina.Her other activities and interests were embodied in being a volunteer “Pink Lady” at Forsyth Hospital and her administrative work at Fries Moravian Church (which she dearly loved), the activities of the Esther White Circle, the Church’s “Ladies Chicken Pie Group” and the Church Choir, along with the many other Vernon family members.Doris’ positive attitude of life and her love of Jesus Christ was never more evident than in the twilight years of her life. She constantly reinforced her Christian beliefs through reading her Bible, daily devotions and prayer. Her great passion was her love for little children and the accomplishments of all of her children and grandchildren in their professional lives. To the very end, her love of life was evident in her smiles, hugs, and a kiss and she will be dearly missed by all her family. Her grandsons will be her pallbearers.A special thanks to the staff of ladies at Vienna Retirement Home who cared for her and gave to her their love, affection and respect.The family requests that donations be made to Fries Memorial Moravian Church, 251 Hawthorne Road NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27104, in lieu of floral tributes.Friends may call between the hours of 6-8 PM on Tuesday (today) at the Vogler Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, 2951 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem (336-722-6106). The funeral service, celebrating Mrs. Ward’s life, will be conducted at the Vogler Funeral Home Reynolda Chapel at 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 with burial at Forsyth Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following the service.