Joyce Ellis Fortenberry Ward

Joyce Ellis Fortenberry Ward, 81, of Spartanburg, SC passed into the presence of our Lord on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at the home of her son, William Todd Ward, in Zebulon, NC, surrounded by family, loved ones, and caregivers. Born September 15, 1941 in Spartanburg County, SC, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Gertrude Ellis and was lovingly cared for as a daughter by the late Landrum and Enolia Fortenberry at the tender age of 4 years old upon the passing of her mother.

A Registered Nurse, Mrs. Ward was retired from the pediatric nursing field serving her most memorable and special period of 25 years with Dr. Robert Wootton in Spartanburg, SC. She was a 1959 Byrnes High School graduate and later graduated from the Spartanburg General Hospital Nursing Program.

Joyce was a member of First Baptist Spartanburg and during her final years was lovingly ministered to by Turning Point Free Will Baptist Church of Spartanburg. She had a special passion for her four grandchildren and reading the Word of God, The Holy Bible. Joyce greatly enjoyed family time and supporting the football programs of Spartanburg High School Vikings, The Clemson Tigers, and The North Carolina State Wolfpack with her loving husband of 56 years, Charles Larry Ward. In her last months, Joyce enjoyed being on the Ward Family Farm in Zebulon, NC.

Survivors include her oldest son, Larry Scott Ward of Spartanburg, SC and his daughters, Kelli Ward and Allyson Ward; youngest son, William Todd Ward (Dee Dee) of Zebulon, NC, and his children, Hunter Ward, and Victoria Ward. Joyce is also survived by her brother, Jimmy Fortenberry(Wanda) of Duncan, SC, brother-in-law William “Bill” Odell Turner of Greenwood, SC, sister-in-law Carolyn Ward Smith of Spartanburg, numerous nieces and nephews from the Ellis, Fortenberry, and Ward families.

Along with her parents and her uncle and aunt who raised her as parents, she was also predeceased by her husband, Charles Larry Ward, and siblings, Malcolm Ellis, Francis Echols, Clothiel Ellis, Bobby Ellis, and Dorothy “Dot” Ellis Turner.

The graveside funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, October 5, 2021, in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Dr. Todd Black will conduct the service with Mr. William Todd Ward as Eulogist. Visitation at graveside will follow at the conclusion of the service.

The family would like to give special thanks and love to Eden Terrace of Spartanburg, Stay at Home Senior Care of Wake Forest, NC, and Amedisys Hospice Care of Franklinton, NC for the love, care, and dignity provided to Joyce.

Memorials may be made to Turning Point Free Will Baptist Church, PO Box 160668, Boiling Springs, SC 29316. Earmarked Youth Fund.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel