Maxine Bigger Ward

Maxine Bigger Ward 91, was called home by our Lord and Savior on Monday, June 1, 2015 at Life Care Center of Port St. Lucie. She was born in Henderson County, Illinois on April 9, 1924 to Robert Edgar and Ruth Evelyn (Harbison) Bigger. Maxine was educated in Henderson County Schools and graduated from Media Community High School in 1942. After graduation she was employed by The Cookie Factory in Burlington, Iowa.

She moved to Peoria, Illinois and worked at Princes Peggy Dress Factory. She married James L. Anderson on April 10, 1945. After staying at home caring for children she returned to work at a Home Interior Shop making custom draperies and bedspreads. She was a member of United Methodist Church in Peoria and served the Lord as a Sunday School Teacher and in the church nursery for many years.

The family moved to Fort Pierce, Florida in December of 1961. She worked at the Fabric Shop on Avenue A. Her last employer was the St. Lucie County School Board in the cafeteria for over 25 years. She married her second husband Emmett H. Ward, on August 1, 1969. He preceded her in death on April 16, 2008. She was a member of Westside Baptist Church. Maxine enjoyed reading, crafts of all kinds, getting together with family and friends, gardening (loved tending to her flowers), camping and traveling. After she and Emmett retired they were gone all the time. It became a family joke that we had to make an appointment to find them at home. They both enjoyed entertaining and were always preparing food to host a gathering in their home or to take to church for a party or for a funeral reception.

She is survived by three daughters, Linda Reid and husband Bill of Melbourne , FL, Koeta Lintz of Fort Pierce, Leta Jenkins and husband Lee of Fort Pierce; step-son, Kenny Ward & wife, Roberta of OK; 6 grandchildren, Ryan C. Reid and wife Diana Mims of Cocoa, FL, Sheila E. Reid of Melbourne, FL and Taylor L. Jenkins of Fort Pierce, FL, Toni Ward, Timmy Ward, and Candi Ward; one great granddaughter, Shannon A. Reid of Cocoa FL; ; three sisters, Mary Golden of La Mesa, CA, Darlene Peters and husband Heye of Brimfield IL, Susie Tennis of Spotsylvania, VA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, one sister and two brothers.

Maxine will be remembered for her infectious and spontaneous smile and her loving personality.