Born Feb. 27, 1949, in Cuba, she was a daughter of the late Glenda McGraw and Andrew J. “Mike” Cummins, but was raised by her father, Mike, and his second wife, Norma Wood. On Dec. 23, 1972, in Friendship, she married Jerry E. Ward, who predeceased her on March 12, 2025.

She was a graduate of Friendship Central School, Class of 1967.

Barb was employed at the Friendship Foundry and later as an assembler at Prestolite Electric Corp. in Arcade for 23 years, retiring in 2016.

She was a member of the Friendship American Legion Post 1168 Auxiliary and enjoyed cooking, loved vacationing and traveling, but most of all spending time with her family.

She is survived by her children, Jodi (Patrick) Clark, Dustin Ward, Douglas (Monica) Ward, Ross (Marjory) Ward, Megan (Tony) Solomon, Amanda Ward all of Friendship and Becky (Brian) Hicks of Richburg; her grandchildren, Maranda, Cole, Austin, Rafe, MacKenzie, Jarret, Trent, Jeremy, Joseph, Mark Jr., Zane, Claire, Piper, McKayla, Shakira, Kirsten, Kiley, Brock and Karlee; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, David (Annette) Cummins of Statesville, N.C.; a sister, Linda (John) Austin of Fayetteville, N.C.; several nieces and nephews; and many foster children throughout the years.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a grandson, Clayson Pangburn.

Friends may call from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 5, 2026) at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull St., Cuba. A Celebration of Life will be held after visitation at the Friendship American Legion, 29 Depot St., Friendship.

Memorials may be made to the Friendship American Legion Post 1168 or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Barbara touched many children’s lives throughout her life and meant a lot to many people and will be deeply missed.