Linda Kaye Ward

Linda Kaye Ward, 78, of Charleston, WV, went home to be with her Lord on Friday, May 31, 2024, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington, WV.

She was born September 19, 1945, in Charleston, to the late Harold Ward and Izetta Jewell (Chapman) Holstein.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Charles Benjamin "Bill" Holstein; sister, Jeannie Price; and beloved friends, Chuck and Marylee Wilson.

Linda is survived by a brother-in-law, David Price of Port Orange, FL; cousins, Jerry Collins of Glenville, WV and Vicki Beever of Knoxville, TN; and a family orchestrated by God's love, Rich, Lisa, Jayden and Rocky Green of Hurricane; and a large family of former students, colleagues and loving church family.

Linda was a member of the Charleston Baptist Temple in Charleston and loved her Lord dearly. When she prayed she was speaking to her Heavenly Father with humbleness, gratitude and praise.  The more she grew in her relationship, the more she wanted to learn of Him.  Whether eating a full course meal at a restaurant or a baked potato at home she paused to pray first.

Linda was a graduate of East Bank High School Class of 1962 and a graduate of West Virginia Tech and Marshall University where she held a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration. Linda's professional affiliations included, Delta Kappa Gamma, WV Association of Retired School Employees and National Association for Music Education. She received many awards and honors over the years, two of which she was most proud were the Distinguished Mountaineer Award (2012) and induction into the West Virginia Music Educators Hall of Fame (2014). Her greatest pride came in keeping in contact with former students and hearing of their life accomplishments.

She began her teaching career in 1966 and retired in 2002 from Kanawha County School. During her professional career as a band director, choir and show choir director, she was the driving force behind countless First Place and Superior ratings. Yet, she would attribute all success to her "kids". Her legacy for musical excellence in the Marmet and Sissonville Communities was only surpassed by the love and appreciation felt by her former students for her impact and influence on their lives as her student and now even in their adult lives.

Linda Kaye loved celebrations and especially those that included buttercream frosting, pralines and cream ice cream and balloons.  Celebrations were reasons to uplift and encourage others.  She enjoyed shopping for greeting cards and frequently would write her own heartfelt sentiments on every inch of blank space.  Her love and dedication to being an encourager was exemplary.

All former students, their families, colleagues, church family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Linda on Wednesday, June 5th with viewing from 5 to 7p.m. and Celebration Service to begin at 7 p.m. at North Hills Baptist Church, 6108 Hills Lane, Charleston, WV 25312, with former student Rev. Darrell M. Dunlap, Senior Pastor Emeritus – Christ Community Church – San Diego officiating. Private burial will follow Thursday at the Montgomery Memorial Park in London, WV.

A Linda Kaye Ward Memorial Teaching Scholarship is being established.  Information on how to contribute will be posted at a later date on the Sissonville Community News Facebook page.

Services are under the direction of the Wilcoxen Funeral Home, 2226 Jackson Avenue, Point Pleasant, WV.

Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.