Sources |
- [S75] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume II, 1955-1973, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 19 Feb 1958.
Ray Ward obituary
- [S76] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume III, 1974-1986, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 4 Jun 1984.
William Wayne "Bill" Ward obituary
- [S84] E-Mail, Carroll McMahan [cmcmahan@scoc.org], 27 Mar 2008.
- [S112] Census, 1940.
name: Nina R Ward
titles & terms:
event: Census
event year: 1940
event place: Civil District 5, Sevier, Tennessee, United States
gender: Female
age: 9
marital status: Single
race (original):
race (standardized): White
relationship to head of household (original):
relationship to head of household (standardized): Daughter
birthplace: Tennessee
estimated birth year: 1931
residence in 1935: Same House
enumeration district number: 78-8
family number: 70
sheet number and letter: 4B
line number: 65
nara publication number: T627
nara roll number: 3933
digital folder number: 005461375
image number: 00214
Household Gender Age Birthplace
head Ray Ward M 34 Tennessee
wife Anna May Ward F 33 Tennessee
son Bobby Ward M 12 Tennessee
daughter Nina R Ward F 9 Tennessee
son Billy Ward M 7 Tennessee
son Charles Ward M 5 Tennessee
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 11 Sep 2010.
Nina Ray Ward
January 07, 1931 - September 11, 2010
Birthplace: Sevierville, Tennessee
Resided In: Elkhart Indiana USA
Visitation: September 16, 2010
Service: September 16, 2010
Cemetery: Alder Branch Cemetery
Nina Ray Ward, age 79 of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away Saturday, September 11, 2010.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Anna Mae Ward; brothers William and Charles Ward and their spouses Joanne and Laura Ward.
Survivors:
Sister: Charlotte A. Wise of Elkhart, Indiana
Brother: Robert S. Ward of Chicago, Illinois
2 nieces and 4 nephews
Funeral service 7 PM Thursday in the Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home. Interment 10 AM Friday in Alder Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5-7 PM Thursday at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)
- [S84] E-Mail, Carroll McMahan [cmcmahan@scoc.org], 9 Mar 2012.
Eulogy for Nina Ward-delivered by Carroll McMahan
It's been a long time since we first felt the beginning of this end.
And now we remember Nina Ward, both family and friend.
We've watched her thoughts get more obscure with every passing day;
And those heartless afflictions that made them fade away.
Gradually it took the gleam from those once sparkling eyes.
To befall on such a giving person, somehow seems unjustified.
Stripping her of everything, leaving nothing in its place....
Except a look of sadness left upon her face.
As long as we search and through every tear we cry...
We try to find a good reason for this long good-bye.
But now it's time to take back all the beautiful memories of worth....
As she's finally freed from every pain and sorrow of this earth.
The time has come for her to depart...
Although far from touch, she’ll never be far from the heart.
IT HAS BEEN A LONG GOODBYE!
But we can only imagine the reunion with her parents, Ray and Anna Mae, and her brothers Bill and Charles
And recall the good times we shared with the woman many of us affectingly called Sis.
I have numerous personal memories, and coming from a long line of dramatic storytellers, remember hearing of events that occurred long before my time.
As cousins, close in age and growing up near each other; Nina was like a sister to my mother.
Once during their school days, she begged Mama to cut her hair.
“I can’t cut hair” Mama firmly objected
Nonsense, anybody can cut hair” Nina insisted “I can’t go back to school ‘til I get my hair cut.”
Eventually her persistence won out and Mama grabbed a pair of scissors and began cutting.
When Nina looked in a mirror, she quickly realized that not everybody can cut hair !
BUT IT WAS TOO LATE !
She had to wear a scarf on her head to cover the gaps and bald spots for several weeks.
All of my life I've enjoyed hearing the humorous childhood tales involving the four cousins; Nina, Mama, Jo and Freda.
Along with the Kear sisters their escapades were legendary.
In her young days, Nina had a few dates with a young man named Clyde McMahan. After he had asked her out a couple of times, she asked him if she could bring her cousin, Louise,………… along and as they say…..
THE REST IS HISTORY !
After moving to Indiana in 1957, Nina found her professional calling at General Telephone and Electronics Corporation as a long distance operator.
And soon found her passion in organized labor and the politics involved with the union.
She was a faithful advocate of the working man and firm adherent to the union slogan “Any injury to one is a concern to all".
Beginning early in her career as a union Stewart, Nina became a labor leader and community activist.
Her many accomplishments included:
Serving as chairperson and past president of AFL-CIO Community Service Council
and the Elkhart County Afl-CIO Labor Council
A term as president of the United Labor Agency
She was elected delegate several times to the Indiana State Democratic Convention.
A Poll worker and precinct committee chairperson
Served on the board of directors of the United Way
And rang bells at Christmas time for the Salvation Army
Governor Evan Bayah bestowed on her the title of Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor that can be received by on a private citizen in the state of Indiana
Out of her achievements, I personally was never more proud Nina than when:
She waged the valiant campaign for a seat on the Elkhart City Council. The odds were against her…………..
a woman running on the Democratic ticket in a heavily Republican district that historically elected men,
But she made a respectable showing, receiving 3,714 votes, losing by less than 800 votes.
It would be impossible to talk about Nina Ward without mentioning the two women that have played such a pivotal role in her life.
First of all her mother, Anna Mae
Since Nina’s interest lay in her work and community projects and did not…
……..I REPEAT DID NOT…… include domestic responsibilities,
She and her mother depended on each other.
They lived together for seventy three years.
Like any two adults living under the same roof, they had their arguments and disagreements.
Nothing could be more entertaining and at the same time frustrating than to carry on a telephone conversation with one while the other picked up the extension, especially with both having a hard time hearing.
Of course it was evident to everyone that they had a profound love and devotion to each other.
And secondly, her sister Charlotte
No one could have been a more dedicated sister than Charlotte has been for the past 13 years.
She took on the responsibility of caregiver and despite numerous obstacles, has diligently looked after her sister’s needs.
I COMMEND CHARLOTTE FOR HER COMMITMENT AND ALL THE SACRIFICES SHE’S MADE FOR HER SISTER!
Knowing the end was drawing near, I recently sent Nina a “Thank You” letter
I thanked her for the times she acquired tickets for Notre Dame Football games and attended the games with me, even though she didn't care much for football.
SHE DID IT FOR ME!
For always remembering birthdays and anniversaries with calls and cards
For the good times we shared with her old friend Mary Briggs and others
For the hours spent together laughing and telling stories.
For always making me feel welcome
I WANTED HER TO KNOW THAT I TREASURED THOSE TIMES!
This family has never been much at displaying emotions with hugs and compliments.
As a matter of fact, we’re more likely to criticize or make sarcastic remarks.
But we do care deeply and Nina showed her feelings in her own way.
It's hard to believe the old house at 1013 Johnson Street, Elkhart, IN is now unoccupied.
The eclectic home with the steep stairs and enough doo-dads and memorabilia to fill a museum.
That for over 50 years, has beena gathering place where everyone felt welcome
An address so familiar to me, I can remember without looking in my address book.
THE LAST ONE IS GONE!
Nina once shared with me that her favorite poem was "I dreamed I saw Joe Hill,”
a ballad about the IWW union organizer and poet who was executed in 1915 after being framed on a murder charge.
I feel the words of that poem are a fitting tribute to her as well:
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
Alive as you and me.
Says I, "but Joe, you're ten years dead."
"I ain't never died," says he.
"I ain't never died," says he.
"In Salt Lake, Joe" says I to him
Him standing by my bed.
"They framed you on a murder charge,"
Says Joe, "But I ain't dead."
Says Joe, "But I ain't dead."
"The copper bosses killed you Joe,
They shot you Joe" says I
"Takes more than guns to kill a man,"
Says Joe, "I didn't die."
Says Joe, "I didn't die."
And standing there as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Joe says, "What they forgot to kill
Went on to organize,
Went on to organize."
"Joe Hill ain't dead,' says he to me,
"Joe Hill ain't never died.
Where working men are out on strike
Joe Hill is at their side,
Joe Hill is at their side."
"From San Diego up to Maine,
In every mine and mill,
Where workers strike and organize,"
Says he, "You'll find Joe Hill."
Says he, "You'll find Joe Hill."
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
Alive as you and me.
Says I, "But Joe you're ten years dead."
"I ain't never died," says he.
"I ain't never died," says he.
Like Joe Hill, Nina Ward will live on where ever there is union work to be done.
And her memory will live on in those of us who loved her.
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