Mother June M. Ward

Born to the late William and Myrtle Hodge White, June
Murielouise White Ward was the fourth child of her parents. This
baby girl arrived on December 8, 1924 and slipped away
peacefully on September 22, 2022 surrounded by family and
friends.

June was raised in Wilmington, Delaware and was educated in
the Wilmington Public Schools System.
Aunt June met and fell in love with David Ward from Crisfield,
Maryland. They married and made their home in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.

After moving to Philadelphia, being the bubbly, friendly person
that she was, she met and was blessed with quite a support
system there. Her group of friends were true "Besties." Frequently
traveling together and always, always celebrating each other's
birthdays. Their families became her family too. Betty Potter
became her best friend, just like a sister and her children, her
nieces and nephews as well. Loving children, but not having
children of her own, Aunt Junie relished her nieces and nephews,
great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews and
great, great-great nieces and nephews. Many through blood,
most through love. Throughout Mount Sinai, if she was old
enough to be your grandmother, you more than likely called her
Aunt Junie too.

June joined Christ Baptist Church on July 2, 1978. Her sister, the
late Bishop Josephine Jones was determined that all of her
siblings were going to be saved. So Bishop Jones frequently

shared the plan of salvation on the home front and Reverend Earl
Potter was hitting the need for the gift of Salvation in
Philadelphia. The Holy Spirit did what it does and June said Yes
to the Lord and got busy in the church! She served the Youth
Ministry for 2 years, was a part of the Silver Keys Ministry,
welcomed guests to CBC occasionally and designed gowns for
the Messengers of Signs Ministry. She loved her church. Even at
the young age of 91, she worked in the church kitchen. She
moved her membership from Christ Baptist Church to Bethel
Pentecostal church in 2002, where her brother the late Bishop
James Odell White Sr., served as pastor and to be closer to her
home in Smyrna.

While in Philadelphia, during her younger years, June was
employed by S. Rothschild and company, where she served as a
seamstress. Her brother Felix introduced her to sewing and she
was good at it; real good. Her career as a seamstress was born.
Many children in our family were blessed by these luxurious
children's coats that her company made. In addition, June made
numerous robes for many church organizations, including the
Delaware, Maryland and Washington DC district choir. She also
made robes for the Savettes Choral ensemble in Philadelphia
and just a few years ago, she made and hung the curtains
currently hanging in Bethel Pentecostal church. June was still
working for Jesus in her nineties!

June was a missionary at heart; if you were under attack, she
would pack a bag and come and take care of you. She did that
for many of her siblings and stayed until the very end.

Most of us have a crazy story about Aunt Junie. Some of us have
been terrified by her fast driving in Philadelphia. Many of us have
benefited from her superb sewing skills and all of us have
experienced her unyielding love. June believed you should dress
to impress. She stepped out with class. Little Miss Independent
was a stickler for being on time and doing all things with a spirit of
excellence. She kept a beautiful home and yard to the very end.
Even this summer, she spent many mornings, trimming her
bushes and pulling up weeds, she loved being outside and
gardening. This last year, she told us all, "growing old ain't for
sissies." She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
June was predeceased by her husband, David Ward. Her late
siblings Sarah Goffigan, Bishop Josephine Jones, William White,
Jr., L'Overture White, Betty Jane Fountain, Felix White, Bishop
James Odell White, Sr. and Pastor Pezavia White, Sr.; her
brother-in-laws, Elder John Nichols, Sr. and Charles Fountain and
her sister-in-law, Lucille White. June was also predeceased by
her dear niece Sheila, whom she had a very special relationship
with.

Mother Ward leaves to mourn her life; her sister Gloria Nichols, sister in
laws, Mary White and Ernestine White, special niece and
nephews, Bishop Marcia Pitts, Deacon Sedrick Fountain, Sr., and
Allen Ward. Her great niece Michelle who lovingly provided daily
check-ins, a slew of multi-generational nieces and nephews,
cousins, godchildren, adopted sons and daughters, Bethel
Pentecostal Church Family, the Mt. Sinai Holy Church of America
family and her dear friends.

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Public Viewing


SEP 30. 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET)

Bethel Pentecostal Church
2300 North Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19802

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Celebration of Life


SEP 30. 11:00 AM (ET)

Bethel Pentecostal Church
2300 North Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19802

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Resting Place


SEP 30 (ET)

Gracelawn Memorial Park
2220 North Dupont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720

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