Ellen (Whitehurst) Ward

Nashville -

Ellen Whitehurst Ward, 75, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2025. She was born August 15, 1950 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina to the late Marion Lee Whitehurst and Alice Brothers Whitehurst. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Lynn Randall Ward. She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Brian Christopher Ward (Tobey Dellinger Ward); daughter Bethany Ward Ramsey, and grandchildren, Ellen Sidney Ramsey, Carsyn Gabrielle Ward, Benjamin Payne Ramsey, and Delaney Isabella Ward. She is also survived by her sister, Faye Whitehurst Sawyer, and brothers, Claude Abbott Whitehurst and Douglas Wilson Whitehurst.

Ellen attended Central High School in Elizabeth City, NC where she met the love of her life, Lynn, and graduated in 1968. She continued her education at East Carolina University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History in 1972. She spent most of her career working with the Nash County Department of Social Services as a Child Protective Services and Adoption Coordinator Social Worker. She retired on December 30, 2003, when she also received the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine for her years of work and service to the state of North Carolina.

Ellen was blessed with the gift of music, and shared that gift from an early age. She sang and played the organ in her childhood church, Newland United Methodist Church. She participated in Glee club during her high school years as the piano accompanist. She became a faithful member of Nashville Methodist Church in 1974, where she continued to share her music. She sang in the choir, at weddings, funerals, and other special musical events. She helped coordinate youth musicals, Christmas cantatas and Holy Week music, and played handbells. She was the organist at Nashville Methodist church for over 20 years. She served on a variety of committees of the church, taught Sunday school and Bible studies, led children and youth events, participated in Compassion Cafe, worked with Stephen Ministry, volunteered as the Membership Secretary, organized the library, and decorated for the Advent season. She was an active member of the Heart of Carolina Emmaus Community. She enjoyed time worshipping the Lord and being in service to Him and to others. 

A memorial service will be held in the sanctuary at Nashville Methodist Church, Nashville, NC on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 2:00 pm; followed by visitation in Braswell Hall. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nashville Methodist Church Foster and Adoption Ministry or Nashville Methodist Church Lynn Ward Memorial Scholarship. 

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