Bessie was born October 7, 1925 in Wise County, VA, a daughter of Edward Brian (Bode) and Rosalie Ramsey. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 44 years, Onnie Ward, brother Emitte Ramsey of Coeburn, VA, brother Claude Ramsey of Coeburn, VA, and sister Stella Ramsey Martin of Kingsport.
Those left to cherish her memory include: son, Charles Ward and wife Sue of Flagstaff, AZ, daughter, Linda Brickey and fiancé Mark Wright of Elizabethton, TN, sister Pauline Harper of Piney Flats, TN; sister, Margie Cline and husband Bill of Venice, FL, sister, Minnie Burt of Hicksville, NY; granddaughter, Angela Howe and husband Alex of Asheville, NC, granddaughter, Amanda Holden and husband David of Marietta, GA; several nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Bessie will be remembered as a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Thoughts of her feistiness, generosity, and out-going personality will linger with those who knew her. No one was a stranger to Bessie, only a very interesting person she wanted to know better.
The family will receive friends at East Lawn Funeral Home on Friday, May 18, 2018 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Brother David Dotson officiating. Graveside service will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park in the Garden of Prayer.
The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staffs of Ivy Hall Nursing Home, Elizabethton, and Brookdale Kingsport Assisted Living for their compassionate care of Bessie during the final chapter of her life.
Online condolences may be shared with the Ward family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the Ward family.
