Elsie P. Ward, 86

CRISFIELD - Elsie P. Ward, 86, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at Manokin Manor Rehab and Nursing Center in Princess Anne where she had been a resident for the past seven years.

Born in Crisfield on April 25, 1920, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Edward and Sally Marie Howard Parks.

She worked as manager of the former Grant's Department Store in Crisfield for several years, was an assembly worker at the former Carvel Hall Cutlery in Crisfield, and was former secretary at the Crisfield Christian Academy.

She was a charter member of the Crisfield Church of God serving as Ladies Ministries president, Sunday school teacher, Family Training Hour president and choir director.

She is survived by her daughter, Pat Seyda of Crisfield; two sisters, Lois Adams of Crisfield and Millie Mason of Princess Anne; a daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen Ward of Alexandria, Va.; seven grandchildren, Maria Swift and her husband Bobby Dean of Crisfield, Laura Parkinson and her husband Richard of Crisfield, Nikki Actis and her husband Rob of Arizona, Jeff Ward of Alexandria, Christa Balderson and her husband Billy of Crisfield, Mike Seyda and his wife Sonya of Lexington, Ky., and Dana Carman and her husband Lance of Crisfield; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Richard Ward; her son-in-law, Dan Seyda; and two brothers-in-law, Charles Mason and Tommy Adams.

Funeral services were held Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the Crisfield Church of God. The Rev. Philip Morris and Rev. Harvey Tyler officiated. Burial followed in Sunnyridge Memorial Park in Crisfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to Church of God, 134 Maryland Ave., Crisfield, MD 21817.

Arrangements were in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield.