Elma Lee Ward

ELMA LEE WARD was born February 23, 1928 in Darrow, Louisiana. She was the sixth of seven children born to loving parents, James and Belle Lee. She received her formal education in Louisiana and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at a young age, while attending Ebenezer Baptist Church and was baptized in the Mississippi River. 

During the early 1940s, Elma united in marriage with Kermit Washington Sr. She was employed as Head Cook at the Holiday Inn in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She also worked as a cook at several schools throughout Louisiana.

During the early 1950s, Elma married Junius Ward.  He preceded her in death in 1965.

In 1974, Elma moved to San Diego, California, where she began working as a Machinist at Rohr Industries. Elma later became disabled and went into an early retirement. 

During the late 1970s, Elma joined New Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church under the spiritual guidance of the late Reverend LaSalle Jones. She served wherever she was needed, including providing her special and unique skills in the kitchen. Elma later moved her membership to Faith Deliverance Church of God In Christ, under the spiritual guidance of Pastor Carlos Kelly, where she served on the Mother Board.  She will be greatly remembered for sharing her testimonies about just how good God had been to her. She was always ready to give open remarks for any given service. She was a faithful member in services until her health prevented her from attending. She looked forward to receiving her communion and visits from her Pastor and church members. 

Elma enjoyed Bible word search puzzles, sewing, cooking, watching soap operas, westerns, “Murder She Wrote, “The Haves and the Have Nots, Mr. Brown and the Steve Harvey Show”; and she wasn’t too proud to admit that she was in love with Steve Harvey and his baldhead.  Elma was also a very classy dresser.

Elma was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and the best friend one could ever have.  She kept in contact with her family and friends, making sure they were doing okay. She enjoyed making others laugh and she loved to cook for family and friends. Her specialties included her mouth-watering biscuits, homemade rising bread and her sweet potato turnovers. She was a phenomenal dominoes and checkers player; No one could beat her at checkers.  If you were fortunate enough to win she would say, “You won because I felt sorry for you and let you win; and that’s a fact!”

Elma was preceded in death by her husband, Junius; her children, Henry L. Ward, Kermit Washington Jr., Joseph Washington, her parents; sisters, Annabelle Boldin and Evelyn Price; brothers, George, Eddie, James Jr and Joseph Lee.

On Monday, April 18, 2016, Elma Lee Ward was called from earthly labor to eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Betty-Jean Johnson of Louisiana, Rosemary Pinkney of Georgia, Blanche Ward of Virginia; longtime and dear friend, Louise; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.