Gladys Dominy Ward

With her loved ones by her side, Gladys Dominy Ward, 95, of Macon entered into the presence of The Lord on Thursday, December 10, 2020.

She had a quick, sharp wit, a love to serve, a desire for detail, and a heart of gold. Today, her family celebrates her life with all the love and strength that she so freely gave each of us. Granny, we love you more than you will ever know!

Gladys was a woman who was intentional in every moment that she was blessed with. Growing up on a cotton and peanut farm yielded her the lessons of hard work. Raising her girls allowed Gladys the opportunity to be a mother. Becoming a charter member of Porterfield Baptist Church provided Gladys a deeper understanding of her relationship with Jesus Christ.
Gladys was born in Irwinton, Georgia, to the late Ivey Morgan and Lucy Howell Dominy on December 3, 1925. She graduated from Toomsboro High School and loved playing sports, excelling in several areas. She didn’t let her diminutive stature stop her from being the half court guard on the school’s basketball team. Standing at only 5-feet tall, this spoke volumes about her determination to those who heard about her athleticism on the basketball court, as well as in other sports. It also made for amusing conversations with her friends and family. Early in Gladys’ life she was an active member of the Rutland #418 Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, where she held the title of Worthy Matron. She was also awarded and recognized as the State District Deputy of Eastern Star.

Gladys began her working career in Civil Service at Robins Air Force Base. While there, she met her loving, devoted husband of 48 years, the late Buron V. Ward. They were married on January 12, 1947. Upon giving birth to her first daughter, she became a stay-at-home mother for 15 years. She was actively engaged in Brenda and Rosemary’s early school years serving as President of PTA and other committees and was a Brownie and a Girl Scout leader. Gladys cherished her time as a homemaker while raising her children. Once they were older, she returned to the work force, where she was in the Installment Loan Department with SunTrust Bank, retiring in 1989 after 25 years of dedicated service.

With her servant’s heart, Gladys’ calendar was always full. She was active in both her community and with her church, Porterfield Baptist Church, where she was a dedicated and faithful charter member. She was fully devoted to her Faith Sunday School Class each week. Her heart for serving led her to work on numerous committees at the church including benevolence, decorating, flower, and Vacation Bible School. Somehow, she even found the time to be the Program Director of the Leisure Club and was a member of the XYZ at Vineville Baptist Church. On Saturday nights, Gladys would head to the Powersville Opry House, where she loved to dance and listen to music. Upon her retirement, she became active in volunteering at the Cherry Blossom Festival in its gift shop and at the Georgia National Fair as a Fair Cracker for 20 years. She also served as a Poll Worker during elections for many years.

In addition to her beloved husband, Buron, Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Hardy Ivey Dominy and Lucy Howell Dominy; brothers, Izzie, Sam, C. Edward, and Morgan Dominy, and great granddaughter, infant Kelsee Rose Goldsby.

Fiercely devoted to her loved ones and her church, Gladys’ greatest joy was being surrounded by her family. Although saddened by the passing of their matriarch, knowing she is with her Heavenly Father gives those who remain comfort that they will see her again. Left to cherish and continue her legacy of love for her family are her daughters, Brenda Ward Blaxton (Stan) and Rosemary Ward Goldsby (Ronny), both of Warner Robins; her grandchildren, Chad Blaxton (Ellen) of Gray, Whitney Blaxton Martin (Chad) of Warner Robins, Ryan Goldsby (Anslee) of Milledgeville, and Jana Goldsby Bougetz (Jay) of San Diego, CA. She is blessed by 10 great-grandchildren: Kayleigh and Krista Claire Martin; McKinley and Jace Blaxton; Alexa, Weston, and Duston Goldsby; and Colton, Connor, and Iyla Rose Bougetz. Gladys is also survived by her three, beautiful sisters: Lucy Edda Mills, Mary Ivey Thompson, and Betty Rose Criswell, all of Toomsboro, Georgia.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2020, at Porterfield Baptist Church with Pastors Bill Hardee and Chris Dotson officiating. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Burial will follow the service at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Mrs. Gladys Ward to Porterfield Baptist Church, 2910 Allen Road, Macon, GA 31216.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.