Tonya (Godwin) Ward

Tonya Godwin Ward, 57, passed away suddenly on Monday, January 17, 2022 at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, Tonya was born on March 25, 1964.  She was a graduate of Wayne County High School in the Class of 1982 and later owned and operated the Rose Cottage Wedding Chapel for more than twenty years.  Tonya loved the Lord.  She was a member of O’Quinn Baptist Church in her younger days and later joined the Screven Church of God where she worshiped for the past twenty years.  Tonya was blessed with the “gift to gab,” she never met a stranger and she was always willing to go the extra mile to do something special for someone.  She loved art and crafts and making beautiful flowers for the weddings she helped to plan.  Tonya was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother who cherished the time she spent with the ones she loved, especially her grandchildren who were her pride and joy.

Her father, Earl Godwin, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband of forty years, Ricky Ward; mother, Alinda Yarbrough Godwin; two sons, Phillip Ward and wife, Maranda and Joshua Ward and wife, Vianey; one daughter, Sonya Royal and husband, Rob and two brothers, James Godwin and wife, Teri and Kenny Godwin and wife, Laura and eight grandchildren, Austin, Bryson, Jayde, Tripp, G-Money, Emma Lilly and Nolan all of Screven.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at O’Quinn Baptist Church with Reverend Tony Reneau and Gerald Greenlee officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Austin Ward, Jacob Godwin, Michael Heiser, David Manning, Aaron Reneau and Bryson Ward.

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