Thelma Pope Ward, age 87, of Jonesboro, Georgia passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at home. Thelma was born on March 28, 1936 in New York City to Thomas & Irene Pope. After graduating from Campbell High School in 1953 where she played basketball, she worked for State Farm Insurance in Hapeville, Georgia for 25+ years. Upon her retirement she enjoyed traveling, church activities, community involvement and spending time with her husband Frost and family. She was happily married to Alton Frost Ward for 53 years until his passing in 2010. She was an active member of the Jonesboro First Baptist Church. She will be deeply missed by her daughter and son-in-law Kathy & Keith Shipley and granddaughter Elizabeth; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Ford-Stewart Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Bethel United Methodist Church in West Point, GA on Thursday afternoon at 3:30. Visitation is Thursday before the service beginning at 10:00 am at Ford-Stewart. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Thelma's memory to "Jatha's Babies" (ministry which provides dolls and stuffed animals to memory care patients at local assisted living centers& hospitals) c/o Jonesboro First Baptist Church, PO Box 773, Jonesboro, GA 30237 or email rbutler@fbcjonesboro.com or to the charity of your choice.