Betty Jo Ward

Betty Jo Ward, age 88, of Rutherfordton, passed away Monday, December 9, 2024 at Willow Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation.

She was born Wednesday, June 24, 1936 in Rutherford County to the late Quince Baxter Teseniar and Nellie Ruth Ward Teseniar. Betty worked for Stonecutter Mill and J.C. Cowan for many years. She was a member of Caroleen United Methodist Church. Betty enjoyed all types of craft work, quilting, crocheting, arranging silk flowers, coloring books and playing card games with family and friends. She also enjoyed ballroom dancing with her late husband, Cecil. Betty fiercely loved her family and each one meant the world to her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of forty-three years, Cecil Ward and a sister, Margie Harriger.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Denise Ward Gamble of Rutherfordton, Rob Ward (Ken) of Myrtle Beach, SC, Lori Carter (Ben) of Clarksville, Georgia, De De Ward Fowler of Spindale; twelve grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Carolina Foothills Eldercare, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

The funeral service will be conducted at 12:30 pm on Saturday, December 14th at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Mike Snelgrove officiating. Interment will follow at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.