Janice Phillips Ward

Janice Phillips Ward, a lifelong resident of Bradenton, Florida, passed away peacefully with her daughter, Deandrae "Katie" Estevez, and son, John Ward, by her side on July 26, 2026, in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

Born November 11, 1948, in Ypsilanti, Michigan; she was a daughter of the late Floyd Alva Phillips and the late Maxine Burcham Phillips.

She was a retired school bus driver for the School Board of Manatee County with 28.5 years of service. Janice loved travelling, growing flowers and vegetables, dancing, along with watching the wildlife and enjoying the quiet life at her country home in Hominy Falls, WV, where she spent her many final years.

Janice's love of travel led her to become a travel agent. Oftentimes, you would find her on a cruise ship with her clients and friends, ensuring they had a great trip and no detail was left undone. She often took trips to visit her grandchildren and always took a rock back home from every trip that ended up as a rock garden at her country home.

In addition to her parents, Janice was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn McNicholas.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving daughter, Deandrae "Katie" Ward Estevez (Frank) of Bradenton, FL; son, John Ward (Stephanie) of Wichita Falls, TX; grandchildren, Mathew Ward, Jarred Ward, Madison Ward, Joey Ward, and Colton Ward; great-grandson, Liam Irby; brother, Daniel Phillips of CA; sister, JoAnn McClung of TN; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her very close friends and caregivers, Les Moul, Julie Cornwell, Opal Moore, and Dawna Griffith, all of Hominy Falls, WV.

In keeping with Janice's wishes, there will be no formal services at this time. A committal service with graveside rites will be conducted in Florida at a later date.

Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhomebeckley.com

Blue Ridge Funeral Home and Crematory, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is honored to be serving the family of Janice Ward.