Rosemary Butler Ward

1947 - 2016

Rosemary Butler Ward, 68, well-known resident of Ripley and a person active for many years in the educational ,religious and civic activities of her community, died peacefully at her residence Monday morning April 18, 2016. Services honoring the life of Mrs. Ward will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday April 20 in The Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral Home with burial in the Beech Hill Cemetery. A life long resident of Tippah County, Mrs. Ward was born Oct. 2, 1947, the daughter of the late Cleve and Doris LaBarreare Butler. She was a graduate of South Tippah High School, received her degree in education at Blue Mountain College and completed her Master's Degree at The University of Mississippi. A teacher for 38 years before her retirement, Mrs. Ward taught 30 years in the Ashland, Pine Grove and Ripley school systems and 8 years in Middleton, TN. She was married in 1966 to Stanley "Josh" Ward and would have celebrated their 50th anniversary on Aug. 13th of this year. A devoted member for many years of Beech Hill Church of Christ, Rosemary served her community and state in many ways including memberships in the Retired Education Personnel of MS where she was currently serving as secretary; member of Kappa Kappa Iota, serving as local president for multiple years and served as state president from 1999-2000. Mrs. Ward also served as a member of Tippah County Hospital Auxilliary and the Heritage Club. A visitation for Mrs. Ward will continue today at The Ripley Funeral Home until service time at 2 p.m. Rosemary will be remembered for many things; her faith in God, the love she had for her church, her gracious and welcoming nature, her involvement in her community and unwavering love and loyalty to her friends and family. In addition to her husband, she leaves her children, Stanley Mark Ward (Libby) and Melissa Ward Willingham (James) both of Ripley and Joshua Shane Ward (Jessica) of Hickory Flat, her brothers Walter Cleve Butler (Verna) of Middleton, TN and George Wayne Butler (Dianne) of Ripley, her grandchildren, Taylor Ward, Allie Ward, Caitlin Willingham, Reese Willingham all of Ripley, Trace Ward and Ayden Ward, both of Hickory Flat and a host of many loving family members. Her nephews, Chester Butler, Ken Butler, Clark Ward, Brian Ward, Paul Ward, Michael Ward, Cliff Ormon, Matt Ormon and Blake Ormon will serve as pallbearers. The Family request that memorials be directed to the Beech Hill Church of Christ Youth Program, 6077 Hwy 4 W Ripley, MS 38663. The Ripley Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ward Family and invites you to share memories at www.ripleyfuneralhome.com