Thelma Earnestine Ward, 89, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Thelma was born on January 2, 1937 in Pennington Gap, Virginia. She spent over 30 years as a cook for Lee County Schools.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Bernice Ward; two sons, Billy Ward and David Ward; two brothers, Jack Ward and Jimmy Ward; and a sister, Virginia Ward.

Those left to cherish her memory is her son, Charles Ward; daughter, Debbie Ward and Donnie Artrip; sister, Mary Longworth (Roger); grandchildren, Josh and Jenn Ward, Lynn Isom, Bryce Ward, and Bethany Ward; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Powell Valley Cemetery in Dryden, VA, with Pastor Mark Tabor officiating the service. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:45 pm.

Thelma Earnestine Ward and her family are in the care of Pennington Gap Funeral Home.