Ida Maxine (Golden) Ward, 83, known to her friends and family as Maxine, of Grafton, West Virginia passed away peacefully Thursday, January 21, 2016 at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport West Virginia.
Maxine, born in Grafton on July 21, 1932, was the daughter of the late Russell Markus Golden and Dovie Grace (Thompson) Golden.
She graduated from Grafton High School with the class of 1950. During high school she was a member of the Girls Athletic Association, Vice President of the Art Club, served on the Re-Echo yearbook staff, Gym Class Squad Leader, and a member of the Girls Volleyball team.
After high school she worked briefly at Archdeacons, Hazel Atlas Box Factory and the Bell Telephone Company. After marrying her high school sweetheart, she became a homemaker and wonderful mother to her four children.
She was the embodiment of volunteerism. While her children were growing up she was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Brownie Leader, and a 4-H Leader. Later in life she was a volunteer at the Grafton City Hospital Auxiliary and the Bread of Life.
She was very active in her church where she held various positions. She was Past President of the Trinity United Methodist Women, District Coordinator in the Mon Valley District United Methodist Women, Youth Fellowship Leader, Past Chairperson for the Pastor Parrish Relations Committee, and Past Chairperson for the Trinity United Methodist Church Council. She taught children, youth, and adult Sunday school in addition to Vacation Bible School.
She was an avid bowler and a member and officer of the Wednesday Afternoon Coffee League for several years. She was a big fan of West Virginia Mountaineer Basketball, both the Men and Women’s teams.
In addition to all her hours she spent volunteering, she baked cakes. Over the years, she baked hundreds of wedding and anniversary cakes for couples throughout Taylor County.
She is survived by her son Gary Jr. of Spring, Texas and his wife Sandra, her son Steven of Hurricane, WV and his wife Karen, her son Guy of White Hall, WV and his wife Joyce, her daughter Sandra of Grafton, her sister Christine Belle Patterson of Grafton, and her sister Martha Evelyn Amos of Mannington, WV. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her husband of 64 years, Gary Lee Ward Sr., and her sister Mary Viola Stipe.
Family and friends will be received at the Donald G. Ford Funeral Home, Route 50 West, Grafton, West Virginia on Tuesday, January 26th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and again on Wednesday, January 27th from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Services will be held at the funeral home on January 27th at 11:00 AM with Pastor Terry Osborn of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Grafton along with Pastor Lois Cartwright officiating. Interment will follow at noon at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Pruntytown, West Virginia where she will be laid to rest with her husband Gary who was a veteran of the US Navy.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to send a contribution in memory of Maxine to Trinity United Methodist Church, Attn: Elizabeth Rogers, 225 High Street, Grafton, West Virginia 26354.

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