Genevieve Rathbone Ward of Wilmington, NC, formerly of Charlotte, died Monday, January 25, 2010 at her home of natural causes.

Genevieve was born on January 21, 1934, in Hartford, TN, daughter of the late Jasper Rathbone and Oma Cagle Rathbone.

Her husband Curtis Ward and brothers Calvin Coolidge Rathbone and Randolph Dolphas Rathbone preceded her in death.

She and her husband resided in Charlotte, NC for a number of years and were members of Calvary Church until moving to Wilmington, NC in 2007.

She was a loving mother and grandmother, and most recently enjoyed the pleasure of being a great-grandmother.

She was a member of the Eastern Star and Still Creek Post 221, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

She retired from Dillard's Distribution Center and spent time being a homemaker and taking care of her family.

She is survived by her brother Charlie L. Rathbone (Ivalee), daughter Vivian Ward Carper (Mike), son Steven Hoyt Ward (Rhonda); four grandchildren Maria Rademacher (Gary Leonhardt), Kristina Ramsey (Matt), Seth Ward, and Tessa Ward; two step-grandchildren Matt Carper (Ashley) and Brad Carper (Lynn) and two great-grandchildren Garrison Leonhardt and Hunter Brown.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 p. m. Friday, January 29, 2010, at Calvary Church Chapel, 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 with the funeral service at 2:00 p.m.

The burial will immediately follow in Magnolia Memorial Gardens on the church grounds.

Lowe Funeral Home of Matthews, NC is assisting the family.