Carolyn Ward

Maggie Valley, Carolyn Marie Rathbone Ward, age 63, passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

A native of Salem County, New Jersey and a resident of Haywood County for 47 years, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Charlotte Poulson Rathbone.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph "Joey" and David Rathbone.  Carolyn was a member of Dellwood Baptist Church.  She graduated Haywood Community College with a degree in Horticulture.  Carolyn was a long-time private healthcare provider.  She enjoyed working in her flower beds, scrapbooking and crafting.  Carolyn was an awesome, grandmother "mamaw", great-grandmother, "mammie".

Carolyn is survived by her husband, of 42 years, Ricky Ward; daughter Crystal Marie Jones, and her husband, Paul, of Pisgah Forest; two sons, Ricky Joseph Ward, of Tarboro, North Carolina and Jethro Ward, of Maggie Valley; two sisters, Lori Rathbone, of Waynesville and Linda Holbrooks, and her husband, Tim, of Franklin; seven grandchildren, Haley Keene, Alex, Stephen and Nick Jones, Rickson, Aubrey and Faith Ward; two great-grandchildren, Bryson and Hazel Keene; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at Dellwood Baptist Church with Reverend Bobby Rogers, Reverend Shawn Porter officiating.  Burial will follow at Ward Family Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.

The care of Mrs. Ward has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.