Minerva Unicey Ward

Minerva Unicey Ward, daughter of the late Richard Fitzhugh and Julia Thompson, was born Thursday, July 28, 1921, in Front Royal, Virginia, the eldest of six children. Minerva professed her life to Christ at an early age. She loved working in the church as a Deaconess, reading the Bible, and she cherished praising the Lord. She sent cards with her words of encouragement for many years on behalf of the church and was a longstanding member of the Harris A.M.E. Zion Church in Harrisburg, PA. Minerva loved children and ran her own daycare for many years. She enjoyed watching the children she cared for grow to be successful adults. Minerva was a marching member of the Elks in Steelton, PA, participating in parades and activities with the group. She enjoyed traveling and lived in Virginia, California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania throughout her life. She loved to garden, watch sports, ride on the city bus, make her famous gumbo, talk on the phone with her sister and pass on her wisdom to those she loved. On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, while at the Homeland Center, Harrisburg, PA, Minerva passed peacefully into the loving arms of God at the blessed age of one-hundred and two. She was predeceased by her husbands, Charles Ward, with whom she shared one child and Morris Atkinson, with whom she shared two children; and four siblings, Charles Fitzhugh, Richard Fitzhugh, Mildred Giles and Florence Jett. Minerva Unicey Ward was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She leaves to honor her legacy: her children, Charlene Saunders (Riccardo) of Harrisburg, Ty Ward (Celeste) of Harrisburg, Morris “Lange” Ward (Mia) of DE, and Doris Bland of NJ; her grandchildren, Kyle Ward, Maurice Ward (Stacy), Tiffany Ward, Terrence Martin, Courtney Anderson, Nakita Ward and Johnele Ponton; her great-grandchildren, Kaylani, Kori, Kimorah, Titan, Halo, Caprius, Brya, Mussarh and Khysir; her sister, Julia Jackson of VA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and honorary sons, Garland Humpheries, Gary Martin, Robert “Bam” Jackson, Shawn Wilson, Larry Neely and Mike Poole. Minerva will be deeply missed by all who knew her. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CLICK ON THE SHARE A MEMORY TAB TO POST VIDEOS, SHARE MEMORIES, CONDOLENCES, REFLECTIONS OR SIMPLY LEAVE YOUR NAME.

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Minerva Unicey Ward

July 28, 1921 - May 7, 2024