Born in Columbia, SC, on April 12, 1925, she was the daughter of Motte Shaw Tyler and Mildred Pope Kinard. Jean spent her childhood days riding horses in the Forest Acres/Gills Creek area of Columbia on dirt roads, being a dare-devil on the high dive and playing baseball with the boys. Always independent, she took flying lessons and had 2.5 hours of flight time in a Piper Cub before her mother nixed her clandestine activity. Jean graduated from Dreher High School and attended the University of South Carolina. For 11 years, Jean served as a social worker for young girls in Baltimore, Maryland, as a member of the Order of the Good Shepherd. Jean gave up her vows as a nun and returned to Columbia, where she worked for the Automobile Dealers’ Association. It was then that she met Malcolm Evans (Mack) Ward, who became her husband of 46 years. He was a widower with three young children, and Jean quickly assimilated into the role of wife and mother. Jean made every holiday and birthday a special event, hosted friends and family for weekend cookouts and became an assistant Girl Scout Leader. Her famous pound cake was requested at every birthday. They added another daughter, Alicia, to their mix when Jean was 42.
During this time, Jean’s artistic side came to the fore. She started a ceramic studio, taught lessons in ceramics and eventually became a porcelain artist. She sold her works at several large craft fairs in the southeast and her hand-painted Christmas ornaments and wedding gifts are treasured by many family members and friends. While living in Fayetteville, NC, Jean became an avid golfer. This love carried over to her move back to Columbia, where she was a member of the Columbia Country Club and served in several roles of the Ladies’ Golf Association. Jean brought her competitive spirit to the golf course and won many “longest drive” prizes, as well as Thanksgiving turkeys. She competed in many golf tournaments, even as a “Super Senior.” In addition to the American Cancer Society fundraising by the Ladies’ Golf Association, in which Jean was involved, she also helped elementary students with their reading and delivered Meals On Wheels.
Jean was always learning new things—in all phases of her life. In her 70’s she learned to use a computer and designed her own birthday cards for family and friends using special computer programs; she was an early adopter of FaceBook and forced several family members to join so that they could keep up with her and her family-related postings. Jean loved attending the University of South Carolina women’s basketball games, even during the “lean” years. And when her beloved husband, Mack, died, she took over the financial reins and learned how to set up online banking. Jean was interested in people and had friends of all ages and walks of life. She loved animals and was knowledgeable on all kinds of birds and plants. Jean was an active member of Transfiguration Catholic Church and a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
She was predeceased by her husband, Mack Ward. She is survived by her children, Mary Ward Hoskins (Al) of Columbia, Margaret Ward Twitty (Ron) of Charlotte, NC, Marsha Anne Ward of Atlanta, GA, and Alicia Ward DeSpain (David) of Hilton Head Island, SC; her grandchildren, Tracey Hoskins Ramage (Shawn), Brett Twitty, Mary Butler DeSpain, Charles DeSpain, Ali DeSpain; great-grandchildren, Peyton Ramage, Mary Mack Ramage; sister JoAnne(Cal) Dent.
The graveside service for Jean Ward will be held at 11:00 am on June 5, 2021, at Grove Hill Cemetery in Darlington, SC.
Memorials may be made to UNC TEACCH Autism Program (online) or mailing address: CB# 7180 UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.
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