RALEIGH

Viola Tolson Ward, 98, of Raleigh passed away Friday, December 11, 2020.

Viola was born August 19, 1922 in Edgecombe County, Pinetops, NC the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Tolson.  Viola attended school at Pinetops until her parents died when she was seven years of age.  At that time, she moved with family to West Edgecombe and attended school there.  In 1940 she graduated from high school and enrolled in Hardbarger's Secretarial School in Raleigh.

After graduation, her first job was with McKown's Beauty & Barber Supply House.  She worked there until April of 1942 at which time she took a position in the secretarial pool with Carolina Coach Company.  After forty years of service with Carolina Coach Company, she retired from her last position as the purchasing agent for the southeast.

On August 19, 1945, she became the bride of Vance O'Dell Ward who would be her loving husband and best friend until his death in December of 2010.  For 65 years, Vance and Viola shared their lives together in West Raleigh.  They were members of the Westover Methodist Church, active in the West Raleigh Exchange Club and every Saturday, weather permitting, out looking for bargains at the fairground flea market.

She is survived by generations of nieces and nephews and friends who loved her dearly.

The Funeral Service will be held Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Montlawn Memorial Park Funerals and Cremation - Chapel of Memories, 2911 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. The service will be at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to service.  The Reverend Joe Balance will officiate.  Flowers are welcome or contributions may be made in her memory to a food bank or any other organization helping those in need during the pandemic.  Montlawn Funeral Home is serving Mrs. Ward's family.