Wednesday, December 10, 2025 10:36 am

Josephine "Jo" Bennett Ward--a woman defined by resilience, grace, and unwavering love--passed from this life November 30, 2025.

Born November 10, 1936--sharing a birthday with her mother--Jo spent all of her life in Rutherford County before moving to the Tryon Estates retirement community in Polk County at age 79. She was the daughter of the late Beatrice Cash Bennett and George Newton Bennett.

After many fulfilling years as a mother and homemaker, Jo continued her life of service through volunteer work. She dedicated herself to the McNair Education Foundation. She also served as Vice-President of the Laurel Lake Music Society and as Chairperson of the Life Engagement Committee at Tryon Estates.

Jo was a member of Spencer Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, and she found fellowship and comfort attending Vespers at Tryon Estates.

Left to honor her memory are her daughter, Karen Ward-Linker (Paul); her stepson, Keith Ward (Susan); and her stepdaughter, June Ward Love, her grandchildren Melanie Love, Maranda Maxey, Sanders Linker, and Coen Linker and her great-grandchildren: Edison and Mabel Wunsch, and Crockett and Djipy Maxey as well as her longtime companion, Peter Cooke.

A celebration of life was held December 5 at Crowe's Funeral Chapel.

Memorial donations in Jo's honor may be made to:Tryon Estates Samaritan Fund select "Tryon Estates Samaritan Fund" in the drop-down menu.) https://www.actsretirement.org/acts-benevolence/acts-legacy-foundation-ways-to-give/support-acts-legacy-foundation/

Crowe's Mortuary and Crematory.