Earlene Vestal Ward

Earlene Vestal Ward, 93, of Asheboro, N.C. died in Hospice care on Sunday, November 17, 2024. She was born on June 26, 1931, in Asheboro, N.C. to F. Earl and Daisy Ragsdale Vestal.

Earlene attended Asheboro's public schools. At Asheboro High School on Fayetteville Street she met her future husband, Walter Lee Ward. They were married on May 31, 1951; a marriage which would last for 65 years until Walter's death in 2016. She was the mother of four children.

Earlene was the first in her family to graduate from college. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Women's College, and her master's in business education from University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Earlene shattered many barriers throughout her remarkable life, forging her own path with a clear vision based upon the values of her parents, her love of education and her Methodist faith. In her roles as teacher and business leader, she served as a role model to many people. She readily dispensed valuable advice to the many people with whom she came into contact. Earlene quietly helped needy people with a timely gift of money or the offer of an opportunity to work, yet she seldom spoke to anyone about those gifts or opportunities.

After teaching in the public schools, Earlene served Randolph County as an elected board member to the Randolph County School Board.

Earlene succeeded in the car business which is generally considered to be a man's world. She worked for her father, who was not sure she would make it, and eventually succeeded to the leadership position at Vestal Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and, later, at Mid-State Toyota. At the time of its sale, Mid-State Toyota was the third oldest Toyota dealership in North Carolina.

In the 1950s-1960s, when Earlene was Vice President of Vestal Motor Co., the owner-operator of Asheboro Business College, and Executive Board member, choir director and organist at Browers Chapel United Methodist Church, she was the mother to three children, later four, and wife to Walter Ward.

Earlene served as a long-term member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank.

Earlene loved music. At Brower's Chapel United Methodist Church, she played the piano and the organ from her high school years. She was the choir director. Earlene had a lovely voice and enjoyed singing in the church choir and at weddings.

Earlene enjoyed traveling with her husband. She traveled on both business and pleasure trips,and she traveled literally all over the world. On one trip to China, a young Chinese interpreter and guide approached her for help in immigrating to the United States. Despite some risk, she agreed and eventually successfully sponsored him. Today he lives in California and China and owns a successful import-export business.

Earlene was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Lee Ward, and her husband, Walter Lee Ward.

She is survived by three children, Wendy Ward Heafner, (Bill); Leesa Ward Rush, (Chuck); and Evans Vestal Ward; six grandchildren, Lee Miller, (Jenny); Westly Miller, (Erica); Lane Miller, (Molly); Brad Rush, (Jessica); Brynn Staley (Rob); Ryne Rush, (Erin); and nine great-grandchildren, Megan Omer; Gage Miller; Hank, Hayward and Betty Miller; Bailey Rush; Camden Miller; Kaylynn Staley; and Ryder Rush; and one great-great-grandchild, Ayden Omer.

Many thanks to her special friends and caregivers Evelyn Rodman and Bonnie Martin.

Funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Brower's Chapel Methodist Church, with Rev. Richard Routh officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home in Asheboro.

Memorial contributions may be made to Brower's Chapel Road Cemetery Fund, 3374 Keyauwee Ridge Road, Asheboro, NC 27205; or to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.