Williston's Frances Ward celebrates 99th birthday

Long-time Williston resident Frances Ward celebrated her 99th birthday on March 11, 2024.

Her family of close to 60 members came together to celebrate, including her six children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her three living sisters, and other relatives. A few close family friends also joined.

“I’ve been blessed with a good husband and family, including six children, in which they all stand equal in my sight,” said Ward.

Born into a family of 10 children, Ward grew up in a small community in Tennessee.

“We had little but were blessed plenty by the good Lord,” she said.

Ward married her late husband of nearly 52 years, L.B. Ward, in 1945. They first moved to Williston in 1953 when L.B. took a job at the Savannah River Site. That job was short-lived and they returned to Tennesse. However, L.B. was soon called back to SRS and the family moved back to Williston in 1954. The town soon became home.

“The house she’s living in right now is the house they bought in 1954,” said daughter Jo W. Owens.

Faith and family are two things that Frances has always cherished and valued.

“She brought us up in a Christian home. She has always been very devoted to her church and to her family,” said Owens.

Her six children were raised as members of Winfield Heights Baptist Church in Williston where Ward is still a member.

“Mom lives what she taught. You saw Jesus through everything she did. His love shown through her with her service to Him, her family, and others. She shares her Christ with anyone who will listen,” said daughter Edie Ward Wilson.

The Williston school system has seen dozens of Ward family members come through its doors of learning and go on to become Blue Devil alumni.

“She has had a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild in the Williston school system since 1954. There are two sets of five generations in the family,” said JoAnne Wagnon, one of Ward’s 11 grandchildren.

Though she had some secretarial and bookkeeping jobs over the years, Ward was mostly a stay-at-home mom.

“She is very talented and should have been an engineer because she enjoys working with wood,” said Wilson. “She is smart financially and has a good head on her for business.”

Having grown up during the Great Depression, Ward learned to be thrifty and resourceful – two things she has carried with her throughout her life.

“She knows how to save a dollar,” said Wilson.

As a great gardener, Ward cans vegetables and has even raised her own beef. She is also a skilled seamstress who sewed a lot of her family’s clothes while growing up.

As a mother of six, Ward has always sought to help her family. This includes teaching valuable life lessons and skills they need to be successful in life.

“Mom has set the bar unreachable as a mother. If I’m half the woman and mother my mom is, then I’ll be doing well,” said Wilson.

After dedicating years to caring for her children, they are now returning the favor to make sure she is cared for in her senior years. Her children are Arthur Jann Ward of Gilbert, Sharon Ward Moody of Lake Murray, Jo W. Owens of Williston, Lloyd Ward of Williston, Edie Ward Wilson of Williston, and Elaine Ward Boyleston of Williston.

“My children care for me very well and I feel well loved,” said Ward.

Though she doesn’t know the secret to a long life, she said, “I know God has a reason for all things.”