Bette Jo Ward passed away peacefully on Feb. 25, 2026, at the age of 91, surrounded by her family. To know Bette was to understand the true meaning of devotion; she was a woman who built her world around the people she loved.

Born on June 16, 1934, in Statesboro, Ga., Bette was the daughter of Sarah Anderson and John Woodward and lovingly raised by her grandparents, Irene and Lucious Anderson. After graduating from Statesboro High School, she attended Georgia Teachers College, where destiny intervened in the form of a young man from Kentucky named Wesley "Buddy" Ward. That meeting sparked an enduring 70-year romance built on the foundation that "family is everything."

As a mother, she embodied devotion to her three sons: Wesley Lane Jr. (Victoria), Gregory Lee (Shelley), and Michael David (Cynthia). She deeply loved 'her boys' and spent her life as their faithful anchor, standing by them with immense pride.

While she enjoyed her career—serving as a secretary for The Bolles School and later retiring from State Farm Insurance—her heart truly belonged to her role as "Grandma." She was the adored grandmother of eight: Erin (Steven), Wesley III, Brittanie (Sergio), Lee Jr. (Kelli), Rachel (Kyle), Kaylee (Joey), Brice (Ally), and Sarah (Wes). She was also the cherished "GG" to ten great-grandchildren, with four more arriving soon under the watch of their new guardian angel.

Bette never met a stranger. She had a rare gift for making people feel seen, welcoming their stories and celebrating their joy. Whether she was traveling back to Statesboro to see lifelong friends or organizing a Bunco game with the "Lunch Bunch," she cultivated a community built on loyalty and laughter.

Though the loss felt by her passing is vast, her spirit lives on in the family she anchored and the many lives she touched with her infectious smile. She was, and will always be, the heart of our world.

A private family burial will be held at Oak Lawn Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on March 28, at 11 a.m. at Beach Church in Jacksonville Beach, with a reception to follow.

Services under the care of Moloney-Hewell Funeral Home 4140 University Blvd S Jacksonville, Florida 32216.