Elizabeth Ann Ward

Elizabeth “Libby” Ann Harris Ward was born on July 29th, 1940, to Frances and Guy Harris in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Ensley High School and furthered her education at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She always thrived in social settings and was loved by all who knew her. She was a member of her high school sorority and went on to be a lifelong member of Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Upsilon Chapter, at the University of Alabama. She was a devoted member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Birmingham.

Libby met her husband, Joseph Patrick “Pat” Ward, on a blind date, and they were married on June 16th, 1962. She worked at State Farm Insurance putting Pat through mechanical engineering school at UA, and she was later employed by Anniston City Schools as a Teacher’s Aide. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters: Cynthia Ann, Susan Elizabeth, and Julie Kathleen Ward. They raised their family in Anniston, Alabama, for over 50 years where they were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church before moving to Birmingham to be closer to their girls’ families. Libby was a caring and loving mother and a loyal wife. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and spoiling her nine grandchildren, who will always remember how much she loved them “a bushel and a peck.” She was gifted in her ability to bring a smile to a stranger’s face, and she knew how to make anyone feel like the most important person in the room. She will be remembered for her cheerful hugs, silly demeanor and her selfless heart.

Libby was preceded in death by her mother Frances Stuart Harris, her father William Guy Harris, her brother Stuart Harris and his wife Barbara, her mother-in-law Edith Ward, her father-in-law Pat Ward and her sister-in-law Gloria Ward.

Those she leaves to cherish her memory include her husband Pat Ward; her daughters Cindy Ivy (Dan), Susan Martin (Lee), and Julie Hamner; her grandchildren Anna Frances Walker (Hunter), Carlton Ivy, Amanda Atkins (Austin), Danielle Chiepalich (AJ), Leighton Johnson (Austin), Courteney Martin, Samuel Hamner, Tully Anne Harris (Alastair), and Harris Hamner; her great-grandchildren Grace and Chip Chiepalich, Ivy Kate and Hallie Walker, Harvey Harris, and three more on the way.

Visitation will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at 10:00 am with a funeral mass beginning at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Asbury United Methodist Anchor Ministry, and Sozo Children Ministry.