Janice Booth Ward

Janice Booth Ward, 81 years of age, of Athens, GA, passed away on January 17, 2019. A native of Grady County, she was the daughter of Carl and Leslie Dixon Booth, and was raised by her Aunt Lotchie Booth, all of whom preceded her in death.

Mrs. Ward graduated from Cairo High School, received her Bachelor’s degree in education from Georgia Southern University and her Master’s degree from the University of Georgia. She was a retired elementary school teacher in the Athens area with more than 30 years in the classroom. She loved teaching her students and enjoyed spending time with children.

In addition to being a lifelong teacher, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Mrs. Ward was an active volunteer in the local area, serving numerous roles in her church and on the board of the Georgia Brain Injury Association. She was known for her outstanding Southern cooking and brought food regularly to the Sparrows Nest and to any friend or neighbor in need.

Mrs. Ward also loved gospel Christian music, and she traveled for many years with friends to hear the Gaithers at Family Fest in Gatlinburg. She was also a devoted Bulldog fan who hosted game-day parties to cheer on her favorite team. In her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with friends, a good game of cards, and making meals for those she cared for. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with family and friends—family knew her love and friends felt like family.

Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Charles Ward. Survivors include her sons, Stan (Diane), Les, and Alan Ward; grandchildren Megan and Tyler Ward; siblings Kathy (Brian) Wetters, Lee (Kay) Booth, Nell (Gariel) Paul, and Artie Ann (Nick) Nickonovitz. Additional survivors include many cousins, nephews, nieces, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 20, at 1:30 pm at Tuckston United Methodist Church in Athens. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 4 until 6 pm at Lord and Stephens, East Chapel. A graveside service will be held on Monday at 2 pm at Tired Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Cairo, GA.

The family would like to thank her devoted caregivers at Home Instead for their help and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tuckston United Methodist Church, 4175 Lexington Rd., Athens, GA 30605 or to St. Mary’s Hospice House, 1660 Jennings Mill Rd., Bogart, GA 30622.

Lord and Stephens, West is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com