Elsie Deloris Ward “Poochie”

Elsie Deloris Ward, 72, of Crisfield, MD transitioned to her heavenly home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, MD.  Elsie was affectionately called “Poochie” by all who knew and loved her.

Elsie was born in Crisfield to the late   Ollie Stewart Ward and Howard O. Ward on February 9, 1953.  She was very vibrant, outgoing, energetic, and strong,

She received her education through the Somerset County School system and then entered the Somerset County Community Services Day Program.

Elsie was loved by her community; and in her earlier years, she could be seen with her sidekicks, Jane White and Bob Waters.  If you saw one, you saw all three.

She loved people and EVERYONE LOVED HER! She had a big smile, and you saw it when she saw you coming her way.  She loved to show off that award winning muscle on her right arm and would flex it so you could see her strength. And if you didn’t know her name, she made sure you did…ELSIE WARD.  She loved puzzles and rhymes and had a rhyme for each color one of her favorite sayings was “Yellow like a Fellow” (Fella), and when all was not well, she would throw up that arm and say “Help Me Jimmy Love”, a phrase a lot of us stole from her.  We all wondered for years who “Jimmy Love” was, we later found out he was a dear friend and a fellow classmate from Sarah Peyton School.

She loved church and spent most of her young and adult life in church. Her problem-solving advice was “Give it to the Lord” or “Give it to Jesus.” She loved her family and all children, especially her nieces and nephews. She taught a few of them their colors and how to count to 10 as soon as they were able to talk.

Elsie touched so many lives and she will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her.

Elsie leaves to cherish fond memories with her two sisters and dedicated and loving caregivers, Barbara J, Ward of Crisfield, MD and Stephanie A. Ward of Salisbury, MD; six brothers, Armstead (Georgetta) of Memphis, TN, Tyrone Ward of Atlantic City, N J,  Howard Ward (Sylvia) of Salisbury, MD, Warren Soil of Marion, MD, and William (Bill) and Ronnie Ward of Crisfield; one aunt, Helen Stewart of Marion.

In addition to her parents, Elsie was preceded in death by her siblings, Victoria Ward, Ollie Diane “Sissy: Ward, Vera Shirley “Little Bits” Ward, Charles Stewart and James “Sneaky Pete” Ward; uncles, Upshur Stewart, James Stewart (“Uncle Bus”), Noah Stewart and George Steward; aunts, Caroline and Irene Stewart.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Highway Holiness Church, 27127 Old State Road, Crisfield (Hopewell), MD with a viewing one-hour prior.  A public viewing will be held from 2:00 PM-6:00 PM Friday, March 28, 2025, at Anthony E. Ward, Jr. Funeral Home in Princess Anne.