Nell Frances Allen Ward, of Russell Springs, passed from this life on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, having attained the age of 99 years, 11 months and one week.
Ms. Nell was born January 12, 1924, in Hazard, Kentucky, daughter of the late Henry and Mary Davenport Allen. At her passing, she was the oldest surviving member of Russell Springs First Baptist Church and was an active servant in her church many years. Ms. Nell had a love for life; she would spread joy and laughter wherever she went.
She stayed active, traveling and going on adventures. She loved camping and riding motorcycles and four-wheelers. Ms. Nell was a Red Bird Clogger, an avid UK Wildcat fan and a fixture in the Ward family tradition, playing 500 Rummy.
Ms. Nell is survived by her sons, Jimmy Rex (and Vivian) Ward, of Centerville, Ohio, and Danny Roger (and Cora Agnes) Ward, of Wamego, Kansas; her daughters, Patty Nell Hatfield, of Russell Springs, Mario (and Jim) Herrell, of Wamego, Kansas, and Jenny Lynn (and Rudy) Chapman, of Jamestown; fifteen grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren and sixteen great-great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, Ms. Nell is preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Adrian Ward; and two great-grandchildren, Kasie Brianna Hatfield and Jace Ryan Ward.
Funeral services are 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 29, 2023, at Russell Springs First Baptist Church, with Bro. Joe Allen and Bro. Christian Naylor officiating. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery in Russell Springs.
Visitation for Ms. Nell will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Bernard Funeral Home, and resume after 9:00 a.m., Friday, at Russell Springs First Baptist Church, until time of services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Tough2gether Foundation, a 501(c)(3) founded by Nell’s great grandson while he battled childhood brain cancer which funds pediatric brain cancer research and family support. Checks may be sent to Tough2gether Foundation, 1600 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502 or online at www.Tough2gether.org/donate.
Arrangements for Nell Frances Allen Ward are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com