Linda Jo Crawley Ward

1949 - 2023

Ward, Linda Jo Crawley

May 29, 1949 - May 20, 2023

Linda Jo Crawley Ward passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, May 20, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Linda was born May 29, 1949 in Wichita, Kansas to Joseph and Donna Crawley, who preceded her in death. She grew up in Wichita and attended Wichita State University. In the early part of her career, she was a flight attendant for American Airlines.

She married Gary Ward on April 23 1971, and began her career in radio as the first female advertising representative for radio station KFDI in Wichita. When the couple moved to Little Rock, she continued to work in radio advertising and, eventually, management. When Gary's job took them to Durham, the family expanded with the birth of their son, Matthew. A subsequent move took them to San Antonio, where their daughter, Jennifer, was born. After their move to Winston-Salem, Linda worked as a special events assistant at Wake Forest University, then as the development director and, later, manager of WFDD for several years. Following her tenure at Wake Forest, she became the development director for the YWCA of Winston-Salem and then Leadership Winston-Salem, before her retirement in 2015.

Linda was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who will be deeply missed. She was known for her unflagging optimism, which helped her and her family deal with her illness. Her many friends will remember her for her warmth, her wonderful sense of humor, her ready smile and hearty laugh, and her generous spirit.

In addition to her husband, Linda is survived by her son Matthew Ward and daughter-in-law Kate, of Raleigh; her daughter, Jennifer Ward of Winston-Salem; and three grandsons whom she adored-George, Russell and Jack Ward of Raleigh.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 26 at 2 p.m. at Salem Funerals and Cremations, 2951 Reynolda Road, with the Reverend Ramon Smith officiating. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. prior to the service.

Linda's family sends special thanks to Dr. George Yacoub, Dr. Michael Chan and their associates at the Wake Forest Cancer Center and to Trellis Supportive Care for their compassionate and expert care during Linda's illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that memorials be made to the Wake Forest Cancer Center, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157.

Salem Funerals and Cremations is serving the Ward family. Online condolences may be made at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106