Thelma T. Ward

Thelma Pansy Ward, 95, of Sugar Grove, NC was welcomed to her heavenly home on Thursday morning, January 15, 2026, at her home surrounded in the love of her family.

Thelma was a kind, loving and caring lady; a strong Christian woman who set an example for many.

She was a woman of unwavering faith who loved the Lord and her church with her whole heart. Her kindness was felt by everyone she met. Her home was always filled with faith, love, warmth, friendship, family and conversation, especially on Sunday afternoons. She loved to quilt, read books, color and spend time enjoying wonderful conversations. She also loved to garden; it has been said that she would begin working in her gardens as early as 5:30 am. She did not fish!

Most of all, she loved the Lord! She was the heart of her family and will be missed terribly.

Born November 19, 1930 in McClure, Virginia, a daughter of the late Arthur and Lillie Mae Eggers Turbyfill.

Thelma was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, “Yah”, “Granny”, daughter, sister, friend and neighbor to many. Thelma was a faithful member of Green Valley Missionary Baptist Church.

Thelma was deeply loved by her children and their families: daughters, the late Dianne Eggers and her husband Alfred of Sugar Grove NC, Donna Harmon and her husband Harold of Sugar Grove NC, Dannette Mixon and her husband Jim of Vilas NC, and Deloras Stewart and her husband Bill of Sugar Grove NC; son, David and his wife Betty Ward also of Sugar Grove NC; grandchildren, Timothy and Regina Eggers, Jennifer and Toby Storie, Nikki and Byron Greene, Christy and Chris Key, Lori and Shane Robbins, Andy Eggers, Mandi and Aaron Johnson, the late Sergeant Chris and Candice Ward, Justin Mixon, Nathan Mixon and Keisha and Kyle Hicks; great grandchildren, Danielle and Tyler Thompson, Trevor and Haley Eggers, Matthew and Whitney Greene, Holly and Devin Hollars, Nicholas Key, Molly and Grant Lawrence, Caroline Key, Brandon Eggers, Coy Johnson, Sophie Robbins, Owen Johnson, Samuel Hicks, Katie Ward, Luke Robbins, Benjamin Hicks, Abel Hicks, Libby Hicks and Thelma Hicks; great-great grandchildren, Marshall Thompson, Nora Thompson, Colt Hollars, Caden Greene, Daisy Hollars, Chase Eggers and Braxton Greene. Thelma was also loved by her brother Junior Turbyfill of Elizabethton TN and a number of nieces and nephews.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Albert Ward, her parents, Arthur and Lillie Mae Turybfill, as well as daughter Dianne Eggers, daughter-in-law, Libby Ward, grandson Sergeant Chris Ward, sisters Ruah Eggers, Theddy Rasnick and Berlyn Ward.

Funeral services for Thelma Ward will be conducted on Monday, January 19th at 2:00 pm at Green Valley Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Eric Cornett, Preacher Derick Wilson and Preacher David Ward. Graveside service will follow in the Green Valley Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, with Pastor Eric Cornett, Preacher Derick Wilson and Preacher David Ward officiating.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 18th at Austin and Barnes Funeral Home from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

The family would like to thank Holly Hollars, Emma Beason and Medi Home Health and Hospice for the love and compassion shown toward Thelma.

Serving as pallbearers: Tim Eggers, Toby Storie, Byron Greene, Chris Key, Shane Robbins, Andy Eggers, Aaron Johnson, Justin Mixon, Nathan Mixon and Kyle Hicks. Remembered with love as an honorary pallbearer: Sergeant Chris Ward, whose presence is forever in our hearts.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Green Valley Missionary Baptist Church’s building fund in care of Brenda Potter, 629 Buckeye Rd, Elk Park, NC 28622.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Ward family.

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