Josephine Johnson Ward Edna Josephine Johnson Ward passed away at her home in Santa Rosa, California on Thursday, September 25 at the age of 82 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Dana Ward, Jr, second husband Bernard Roth, sisters Ollie Mae Johnson, Joann Gray, Hazel Benton and brothers Roy Johnson and Edgar Johnson. Josephine was born in Elkin on March 20, 1926 to Bailey and Stella Johnson. At age 18 she moved to Greensboro to attend Business college and was employed at North Carolina National Bank. While living in Greensboro she met and married Frank Dana Ward, Jr. In 1950, Frank was called back to service for the United States Navy and the newlyweds moved to San Francisco. In 1952 they moved to Santa Rosa, California. She went to work for Bank of America in Petaluma in 1956. She was the manager of the Valley Ford Bank Of America when she retired in 1984. After retiring from the Bank she moved to the Crane Ranch, to be near her daughter, son in law and granddaughter. She sold Crane Melons at the Crane Melon Barn, a California landmark owned by her son in law Richard Crane, where she was a favourite of all the customers. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, cats and dogs, traveling, driving her car, reading newspapers, attending Bank of America retirement events and watching stock, business and news reports. She is survived by her daughter Cynthia Ann Crane, son in law Richard Hayden Crane and granddaugher Jennifer Ann Crane, all of Santa Rosa, California, Nieces Pam Caudle of Ronda, Judy Benton of Jonesville, Carol Sheppard of Westfield, Cathy Spears of Hickory, Nephews Tommy Benton of Elkin, Ronnie Benton of Hampton, Virginia, Michael Benton of Boonville and numerous cousins. Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin will be handling all arrangements. Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Wednesday, October 1 from 6:30-8:30. Funeral will be held at the Hodges Chapel at 2:00 on Thursday, October 2, with burial to follow at Hollywood Cemetery. Family requests that donations be sent to the American Cancer Society.
