Datha Ward

Datha Ward, 76, of W. Pierce St., Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away November 12, 2010 at Lakeview Christian Home of The Southwest. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 10:00 AM, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jimmy Tarvin officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Datha Ward was born July 31, 1934 in Princeton, Kentucky to Floyd Burnett Byrd and Virginia Mae (Morse) Byrd. She graduated from Shelby High School in Shelby, Ohio. For many years she decorated cakes at Gibsons and then continued at her home. She was a member of Happy Valley Baptist Church. Her hobbies included singing, wood carving and was a champion against drug abuse. She also was an artist. She had been a member of the Carlsbad community for over 50 years. Datha was preceded in death by her parents, husband Virgil "Johnny" Ward, one brother James K. Byrd and dear friend Jack DeRamus. Survivors include two sons, Michael Ward of Carlsbad, New Mexico and Joseph Ward of Dennison, Texas; one daughter, Cindy Ward of Carlsbad, New Mexico; six grandchildren; one great grandson; brother, C.L. Byrd and wife, Sierra of Logan, New Mexico; sister, Marguerite Carmichael and husband, W.C. of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.