Barbara D. Ward

Barbara Dodd Ward On May 21, 2017, Barbara Dodd Ward entered into glory in the presence of the Lord. Born on December 3, 1934 in Lynchburg, Virginia, Barbara was a graduate of E.C. Glass High School and was a member of the 1956 graduating class of Lynchburg College with majors in music and education. After her marriage in 1959, she and her husband, Gerould, served churched in Lynchburg, Cambell County, Collinsville, and Goochland County. While her husband was in graduate school, she taught music in the Goochland Count School System. Barbara was a naturally gifted musician and taught piano for much of her life as a dancer, she participated in, as well as taught, sacred dance in the church. Later in life, Barbara returned to school and graduated with a Masters in Evangelism from Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. Upon graduation she was ordained as a diaconal minister in the United Methodist Church. Appointed the Director of Evangelism for the Ashland District, she served numerous churches within. Following multiple years in this position, she became the minister of Discipleship at Bon Air United Methodist Church in Richmond until her retirement. After her retirement, Barbara authored and published a book “One More River”. Furthermore, she served as a Chaplain in the Order of Saint Luke, a ministry of Healing and Prayer, where she was the coordinator of weekly Thursday Morning Services at River Road United Methodist Church. This ministry was the love of her life and her principal service to the church until her death. Barbara is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gerould; her daughter, Sharon of Key West, Florida, and her son Allen, of Tampa, Florida. Additionally, she is survived by her grandson, John, of Richmond, her granddaughter, Rachel of Key West, Florida, and two grandsons, Ian and Aiden of Key West, Florida. A Service of Celebration will be held August 6, 2017 at River Road United Methodist Church. Internment will be in the Church’s Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be given to Virginia Methodist Family Services or to River Road United Methodist Church.