Julia M. Ward | Eastern NC Now

    Just as the new day was beginning on Saturday, July 25, 2015, Julia Mae Ward, family matriarch, fell asleep to await Christ's second coming.

    She was surrounded by her children and dear friend, Marian Ward in the comfort of her home.

    A life-long resident of Belhaven, NC, she was born to Joseph Johnson and Annie Dixon Johnson. She was reared in the Belhaven community by her foster parents, the late Charlie and Beatrice Heath and her beloved grandmother, the late Annie (Miss Babe) Lanier Hill. She attended the Belhaven Colored School, Pantego Colored School and was one of the original students to enroll at the Belhaven Colored High School when it opened for the 1946 - 47 inaugural school year.

    She became a member of the St. Reddick Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and retained her membership throughout the years earning the distinction of having the longest active membership. She was a faithful member. She attended Sunday School on a regular basis and coordinated the Sunday School's annual Christmas project for the residents of the Pantego Nursing Home. She served as the financial secretary for the Benevolent Committee and advisor to the Youth Usher Board. She also coordinated the Church's participation in the Salvation Army's Christmas Bell Ringing Program.

    To rejoice in her memory are two daughters, Cynthia of the home and Charlotte of Greenville, NC; three sons, Johnny (Rita) of Bronx, NY, Willie of Pascagoula, MS and Preston (Lourian) of Durham, NC; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; Linda Harris, daughter-in-law of Durham, NC; and other relatives and friends.

    A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at St. Reddick Missionary Baptist Church, 586 Pamlico Street, Belhaven, NC, officiated by Rev. James W. Harris and Rev. John W. White. Burial will follow the service at Oakdale Cemetery in Washington, NC. The family will receive friends at the home.

    Memorial contributions may be made to The Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, 1209 Brown St. Washington, NC 27889 in her memory.