Barbara "DeeDoe" Jewel Ward

Barbara (DeeDoe) Jewel Ward, age 82 of Townsend, went to be with Jesus Thursday, January 20, 2022. She was born August 12, 1939. Dee Doe showed her love for Jesus by baking and cooking for everyone that would let her. Even if you did not know her, you may have eaten one of her pecan pie muffins that she shared generously. She also sold her world-famous strawberry jelly to fund Bibles, primarily for third world prisons; to purchase horses for pastors to use to get from village to village; and to help finance building projects in third world countries. Her heart was so big she shared it with all, whether she knew them or not. Everyone was family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. William L. Allen and Mae Rose Lawson Allen; sister, Elizabeth Allen O’Neil. Left to cherish the beautiful memories of this incredible woman are her husband and best friend of 49 years, Randy Ward; daughter, Robyn (Rev. Kenny) Tucker; sons, Rev. Ronnie (Jeannie) Hepperly, Rev. Pacer (Connie) Hepperly, Rev. Steve (Tina) Hepperly; she is loved and cherished by 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Helen Buchanan, Dianne (Ejhugh) Bryant; many nieces and nephews and an abundance of friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to RIO Missions in DeeDoe’s name to build a church in her memory, RIO Missions, P.O. Box 887, Alcoa, TN 37701. Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday, January 27, 2022 at RIO Revolution with the Memorial Service to follow at 7:00 PM with Rev. Brad Bryant, Rev. Dale Buchanan, and Rev. Christi Prater officiating. Family and friends will assemble at 11:00 AM for Interment Friday, January 28, 2022 at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.FuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Barbara "DeeDoe" Jewel Ward please visit our Sympathy Store.