Caroline Ward Obituary

Caroline McKellar Brunson Ward died Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in the DuBose Center at The Cedars in Chapel Hill, NC. She was born March 2, 1924, in Florence, SC. She is the daughter of the late Robert Cummings Brunson and Mary Wallace Brunson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Ira Albert Ward; her sisters, Elizabeth Ashby Brunson Berry of Clemson, SC and Roberta Cummings Brunson Santos, of Jensen Beach, FL. Her daughter-in-law, Robin Burnette Ward of Greensboro, NC. She is survived by her sons, Robert Brunson Ward (, Ann) of Chapel Hill, NC and Albert Ashby Ward of Greensboro, NC. Three grandchildren, Katie Ward Dickey (, Will), Jonathan Ira Ward (Ashley), and Michael Albert Ward. Two great-granddaughters, Riya Faith Ward and Sutton Caroline Boykin Ward, all of Greensboro, NC; along with several nieces and nephews.

Caroline graduated from Florence High School and Winthrop College in SC. She also graduated from NC State University on a Pratt Whitney Fellowship. In high school, she was Senior Marshall, member of the National Honor Society, and received the DAR Good Citizen Award. At Winthrop, she was President of Senior Hall, a member of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and she received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award for the outstanding graduate. She was active in the Davie Poplar Chapter of the DAR, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, The Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, and The Huguenot Society of South Carolina. She was a longtime member of Aldersgate UMC in Chapel Hill, where she served on numerous committees and as a leader of the United Methodist Women. More recently, she was a member of University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill. She also attended the Sunday Church at The Cedars.

A graveside service will be held at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery on Monday, September 15th, 2025, at 11:00 AM. A celebration of life will be held at The Cedars Club House in Chapel Hill Saturday, Nov 1, 2025

In lieu of flowers please make your donation to The Cedar Education Program at 100 Cedar Club Circle Chapel Hill, NC 27517