Doris Elizabeth (Nickens) Ward, 76
Born: April 30, 1936

Died: June 2, 2012

Doris E. Ward, 76, of Benton Harbor, formerly of Dowagiac, was called home on Saturday, June 2, 2012, at Westwood of Niles following an illness.

She was born on April 30, 1936, in Earl, Ark., to the late Robert Sr. and Leola (Carter) Nickens.

Doris was always a hard worker whether she was raising her eight children or working in local factories.

She enjoyed cooking, baking and going for walks. She was a faithful member of Peace Temple Church of God In Christ in Dowagiac for more than 50 years.

She is preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, Henry Lee Ward Sr.; a brother, Robert Nickens; a daughter, Cathy Jones; and a grandson.

Doris is survived by: her children, Peggy (Henry) Collins of St. Louis, Mo., Sandra Ward of Niles, Henry L. Jr. (Delores) Ward of Niles, Valerie (Stephen) Harris of Sumter, S.C., Ralph Sr. (Cheryl) Ward of Riceboro, Ga., Judith (Daniel) Balls of Virginia Beach, Va., and Chris Ward (Melisa Fisher) of Niles; a brother, Lee Clay Nickens of Dowagiac; a sister, Thelma Norwood of Benton Harbor; 20 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and countless others whose lives she touched.

Funeral services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Peace Temple Church of God in Christ, 102 Andrews St.

Visitation will begin at noon. Interment will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

Photos, memories or condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.