Vera Ward Waddell, 88, widow of Eldred (Sappy) Waddell, passed away peacefully at Shoreland Healthcare and Retirement Center of Whiteville, NC, on February 5, 2022. She was born in Tabor City, NC, on December 8, 1933, the daughter of Barney and Maude Ward.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Karen; three brothers, Lonnie Ward, Lawrence Ward, and Claude Ward; and four sisters, Ruby Ward Gore, Bernice Ward Blanton, Inez Ward, and Mildred Ward Jolly.
She was a 1952 graduate of Tabor City High School. After graduating she was employed by Southern Bell Telephone, where she worked for ten years before leaving to become a full-time homemaker and mother to her two daughters.
She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, where she was a member of The Sunshine Circle. She was known for her infectious smile and laughter which would light up any room. Her kind and sweet spirit will be missed by many.
She is survived by two daughters, Robin Wilson (David) of Tabor City and Wendy Yount (Greg) of Asheville, NC; three grandsons, Alec Yount (Emily) of Morganton, NC, Colin Yount of Atlanta, GA, and Tanner Wilson of Tabor City; and one granddaughter, Sloane Yount of Asheville, NC. She is also survived by a special niece, Pat Moore of Florence, SC, and a sister-in-law, Katie Ward of Myrtle Beach, SC, as well as many other nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 12:30 – 1:30 PM Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Inman-Ward Funeral Home in Tabor City, NC. A graveside service will be held immediately following visitation at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Tabor City, NC.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation, PO Box 2805, West Lafayette, IN 47996 or St. Paul United Methodist Church, 410 East 5th Street, Tabor City, NC 28463.
Due to Covid-19 in the community, the family requests that masks be worn.
