Estelle Thompson Ward, age 93, of Dothan, Alabama passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025.
Born in Andalusia, Alabama on December 24, 1931 to parents Gaston and Willie Thompson, Estelle was born one of seven other children. Being the child of a large family in the Great Depression, she was taught from an early age to appreciate and make the most of everything she was given. Those are qualities that stayed with her until her final breath, along with the ability love boldly and walk humbly with her God. Estelle was a loving and determined woman, who did not desire public attention, was stubbornly independent, and was tough as nails when she needed to be.
Estelle met and later married the love of her life, Marion Winston Ward, on June 28, 1952, The couple went on to have two beautiful daughters together. She worked tirelessly for many years as a bookkeeper, but her most beloved and important role in life was to always first be a wife, mother, and later a grandmother. Her family was everything to her, a fact that she always made abundantly clear each time she was with them. Estelle also got joy from the simple things in life and always loved attending summer fish fry’s with friends, working in her garden, and enjoying a late afternoon walk in her neighborhood.
Estelle was a dedicated Christian who loved her lord Jesus Christ, and exhibited this through her life, thoughts, and deeds. She always made sure to read her Bible faithfully and pray for her family daily. She was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church of Dothan, where she regularly attended and loved being a part of the Joy Whaley ladies Sunday school class.
Estelle is preceded in death by her parents, Gaston and Willie Thompson, her husband Winston Ward, her brothers Tommy Thompson and Gene Thompson, as well as her sisters Shirley Ellison and Genese Gatlin. She is survived by her daughters Carol Ward Hartley (Alan) and Sherry Ward Drake. Siblings: Frances Prater, Voncile Tidwell, and Joan Gwynne. Grandchildren: Amy Richards Cox (Bill), Alex Richards (Tracy), Elizabeth Hartley, and Stuart Hartley (Amber). Great Grandchildren: Bailey Garner, Megan Garner, Allie Cox, Will Richards, Thomas Hartley, and Eli Hartley.
Services will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at Ward-Wilson Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and graveside service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Calvary Baptist Church of Dothan, Alabama.
