Jawanna Ward

Jawanna Faye Kennedy Ward was born on June 24, 1957, in Birmingham, Alabama to Gladys Kennedy and the late Eugene Kennedy, Sr. She confessed Christ at an early age, and was baptized at First Baptist Church Roosevelt City. Jawanna was a product of the Birmingham City School System having graduated from Wenonah High School in 1975. She went on to attend Southern Jr. College. She was a loyal, hardworking employee of UAB Hospital where she retired after 25 years of service. "Wanna" also worked with St. Vincent's, BMC Princeton, and Children's Hospitals after her retirement. Jawanna was an amazing woman, a phenomenal mother and wife. A selfless soul she touched the lives of many. Forever loyal and always real she would 'tell you like it was', the life of the party, she was the friend and loved one that you could always count on. Jawanna met and married Benjamin C. Ward. Their union lasted 28 years until she exchanged life for eternity on July 24, 2012. She had two sons who were her world and what she absolutely adored; her oldest, Brian A. Pernell, and her youngest, Darrian J. Ward. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, two sons, a granddaughter she loved very dearly, Keliscia (kelis) Ward, and a great niece that she loved so much, Auria Kennedy; her mother, Gladys Kennedy; four siblings, Eugene Kennedy, Michael Kennedy (Carol), Cheryl Wormley (Milton), Sonya Kennedy; a stepbrother, Derrick Purifoy (Tracy); a stepsister, Roxann Murry; three nieces, TaQuoya Kennedy, Brittney Wormley, LaKendra Perryman; five nephews, Tavares Kennedy, DeMeco Kennedy, Darnell Wormley, Kristopher Kennedy, D'Joachim Perryman; special uncle, Frank (Bull) Black, Jr.; a lifelong friend, Diane Lewis, Detroit, Michigan. Jawanna's love and reach was so vast, also left to cherish her memory, are a host of tremendously special relatives and friends.