Joyce Elaine Ward

Joyce Elaine (Neal) Ward, 75, of Bowles St., passed away on May 1, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center.  She was a true matriarch and was loved by a large extended family and community.  Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of Eugene Neal and Myra (Brown) Neal.  A Springfield resident for 56 years, Joyce worked as a educator for the Springfield Public schools.  She was passionate about her work with special needs children.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, playing bingo, reading.  She was an avid sports fan.  She is survived by her husband, Woodrow Jesse Ward;  four children, Ricky Ward (and his wife Johnetta), Tyrone Ward (and his wife Leona), Donald Ward (and his wife Nicole), and Tonya Ward (and Michael Anderson).  She is also survived by her younger siblings, Florence Gibbs, Leon Neal, Annette Gray, Lossie Wilson, and Eugene Neal;  11 grandchildren;  and 2 great grandchildren.  Her granddaughter, Kamiya Elaine passed away in 1990.  The calling hour is 7-9 p.m. Monday at Harrell Funeral Home.  Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's Congregational Church, 45 Hancock Street, with burial in Hillcrest Park Cemetery.

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