Betty Y. Ward

Mrs. Betty Jean Young Ward was born to the late David Young, Sr. and the late Mary Dixon Young on June 24, 1945 as their fifth child. She departed this life on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Betty was baptized at an early age and grew up as a member of Cumberland United Methodist Church. She was active as a Girl Scout and with the Methodist Youth Fellowship. In her later years at Cumberland, she became a member of the Communion Board. She also became the Historian of Cumberland and provided very detailed information.

At the age of five years old in 1950, she attended Ms. Pettigrew's Nursey School where she met and befriended Mildred Ann Small Thomas who has been her friend to this day. In 1951, she attended Carver Elementary School, where she became a Majorette under the Leadership of Mrs. Fredricka Young. In 1961, she participated in a Jabber walk presentation. In 1962, she was a Debutante, and also participated in the Blue Review. She attended Wilson Jr. and Sr. High School where she graduated in 1963. She was also a substitute Majorette and after graduation she joined her class Alumni where she became a strong member and participated whole-heartedly. After High School, she attended a Business School - College in Fort Benning, GA while living with her cousins Inez and George Wilson. She also attended Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, Community College in Philadelphia, PA, and Queens College in Charlotte, NC

After settling back in Florence, S.C., she met and married Calvin Ward and his daughters, Jessica Ward Rose and Melody Ward Mack, and raised them as her own children.

In 2005, after encouraging her to do a family reunion, she became the historian of the Cato, Mason and Young families. Betty has lived a well-blessed life, even though in her later years, her health began to fail.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Ward; three brothers: James “Jazzo” Edward Young, Sr., David “Lightweight” Young, Jr., and Clifton “Bobby” Valentino Young.

She leave to cherish her memories one sister, Mary “Liz” (Mark) Young Hattersen of Philadelphia, PA; two step-daughters, Jessica W. Rose of Columbia, S. C. and Melody W. Mack of Los Angeles, CA; three step-grandsons Caleb Mack and Seth Mack both of Los Angeles, CA and Preston Rose of Columbia, SC; four nephews, Terrance Pough of Williamstown, N. J., James Hattensen, B. J. Young, Dawud Young all of Philadelphia, PA; five nieces, Demetre Pough Edwards of Philadelphia, PA, Tracie (Ben) Young Bailey, Karen (Darryl) Young Kelly of Charlotte, NC, Alicia Young Waters and Sakinah Young both of Atlanta, GA; two aunts, Rosa Burnett of Baltimore, MD and Audrey Williams of Wayne, PA; special friends, Ann Petersen of Philadelphia, PA, Ronnie Young, Ernestine Smith, Joan Robinson Bradley, Joyee Porshea and Hattie Spruill; and a host of grand and great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Please keep the family of Betty Young Ward in your thoughts and prayers.