This is the obituary of an extraordinary person, who through grit and sheer willpower, lived to be almost 103 years old.

Kathleen Kelly Ward was born April 26, 1922, in Titus, Alabama to Oma Clarice Harden Kelly and Henry Clayton Kelly. She graduated from Wetumpka High School and Sally Kay Hawthorne Business School in Montgomery, Alabama.

On February 7, 1942, she married her sweetheart, Morris Taylor Ward, in Montgomery at the beginning of World War II and spent much of the war in Odessa, Texas where Morris worked on the Norden Bombsight Project, and she worked on base as a secretary whose fast and accurate typing topped eighty-five words per minute.

She and Morris welcomed their first child, Michael, in 1944, followed by Charlotte and Sandra.

After the war, Kathleen and Morris settled down in Alabama, spending a very meaningful ten years in Thomaston before Morris's career took them to Evergreen and finally, Camden, where they lived happily for forty-five years.

Kathleen retired from the Department of Social Services in 1974 where she worked for over twenty years.

In 2012, she and Morris moved to Mt. Dora, Florida to be closer to family.

Morris died in 2015, and Kathleen lost her best friend, closest confidante, and the love of her life.

Kathleen was always active in her church wherever she lived, but especially the First Presbyterian Church of Camden where she was also a member of The Women in the Church. She subsequently joined the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Dora.

She was a clotheshorse, a great driver, an avid Alabama football fan, a gracious hostess, and a caring Mom and Grandmother. Each and every place she went, she was adored. Her spirit, her sense of fun, and her grit served her well.

She is survived by three children: Michael Ward (Kathy) Paonia, CO; Charlotte Ward (Brett Lewis) Denver, CO; and Sandra Ward (Charles Murray) Mt. Dora, FL; two grandchildren: Melissa Jones and Julianna Nicholl and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka, AL on Friday, March 7 with visitation at 10:00 AM, service at 11:00 AM, and Interment immediately following at Wetumpka City Cemetery.

Donations in honor of her memory can be made to: First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Dora, 222 West 6th Avenue, Mt. Dora, FL 32757 or First Presbyterian Church of Camden, 203 Broad Street, Camden, AL 36726.