Betty Bumgarner Ward, age 81, of Bethel Road, Sugar Grove, passed away Friday, December 13, 2024.  Born September 28, 1943 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Bill and Edna Greer Bumgarner.  Betty took pride in her family, as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.  She enjoyed flower gardening and working out doors, especially in the yard.  She was an active member of her church and community, and retiring with 25 years at Bethel Elementary School as a third-grade teachers’ assistant.

Mrs. Ward is survived by her husband, Gene Ward; sons, Steven Wiley Ward and wife Amanda, of Vilas and Gregory William Ward and wife Annette, of Sugar Grove; grandson, Taylor Matthew Ward of Sugar Grove, granddaughters, Lindsay Ward of Charleston, SC, Katherine Ward and Juliana Ward, both of Vilas; and brother, Johnny Bumgarner and wife, Kitty, of Hinton, OK.

 In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Holly Ward; brothers Bruce and Billy Bumgarner and sister Carolyn B. Carroll.

Celebration of Life services for Betty Ward will be conducted Sunday afternoon, December 22, 2024 at 3 o’clock at Bethel Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Chad Everhart. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 o’clock, prior to services, at the church.

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

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