Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Lois Ann Ward was described by her sister, Johnnie Holtsclaw, as a very giving and humble person, yet one who was strong and independent.
Lois died May 13 at the age of 83. She was retired from the Carter County School System after 30 plus years as a cook. She worked as a cook at both Central Elementary and Happy Valley Elementary Schools. It was during her time as a school cook, she reached out to many young people, encouraging them with a kind word or a smile, and sometimes she went further.
Johnnie remembers that she took Hunter Berry, now a teacher in the bluegrass program at East Tennessee State University, to get his GED. They both loved bluegrass music and they bonded over those “high lonesome sounds.” Lois loved bluegrass music and often went to the Red Barn to hear bluegrass bands.
Lois was the second oldest of six daughters of John and Alice Hodge. Her sisters included Wilma Hampton and Carol Treadway, both of whom are deceased, and Geraldine Grindstaff, Glenna Bullock and Johnnie Holtsclaw. She also had a chosen sister, Norma Jean Williams.
“She was a great sister,” said Johnnie. “She cared for our mother before she died, and was just a very kind and giving person.”
In addition to bluegrass music, Lois enjoyed people and was very civic minded. She also enjoyed cooking and according to Johnnie made some good cakes and an awesome macaroni salad. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting.
Lois was married to Bill Ward, who preceded her in death. “She never married until she was 33, and she never had any children of her own, but she loved her nephews and nieces. Every time one of them made the honor roll at school, she would give them five dollars,” said Johnnie.
“Lois was a good person, who enjoyed being with people, and she loved to laugh and have a good time. She especially loved young people and she was so good to encourage them. She gave great advice. Lois had a different perspective from most people about life,” Johnnie shared.
Another thing Johnnie remembers about Lois is her love for history and her knack for remembering things. “She loved to relive stories from her childhood,” said Johnnie.
Lois was one of those people who made many life-long friends and had a lot of good memories from her working days.
She was a member of Southside Free Will Baptist Church, but in her latter years before becoming homebound attended Valley Forge Christian Church.
Loia Ann Ward never made Who’s Who, nor had a college degree, but she had the things that counted — she was dependable, just did what she loved and believed in. She gave of herself, was compassionate and giving. And, who knows how many lives she touched along the way.