Bessie Inez Newman Ware, 89, of Waynesboro, Virginia, went to be with the Lord Saturday, August 10, 2024.
Born July 10, 1935, in Pocahontas Memorial Hospital in Marlinton, she was the daughter of the late Clarence David and Gladys Kathlene Moore Newman.
Inez grew up on Knapps Creek between Frost and Huntersville, and was a graduate of Wilson Memorial High School Class of 1953. In March 1954, she graduated from the Wilson/King’s Daughters’ Hospital School of Practical Nursing. She worked at King’s Daughters’ Hospital from 1953 until September 1994 when King’s Daughters’ closed. She then went to Augusta Health and continued to work on the Crossroads Mental Health Unit as an LPN and mental health worker until retiring in March 2004. Her passion for nursing made her an excellent caregiver in the hospital settings as well as in the lives of numerous extended family members. She had a special affection for birds and for her cats. She was a devoted wife and mother. Inez was a member of Barren Ridge Church.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Martin Coleman, Jr.; and a half-brother, Dave Newman.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, George Melvin Ware, whom she married June 21, 1958; four sons, Grady Ware (Denise), of Crimora, Virginia, Nathan Ware (Gina), and Charles Ware-Rinaca (Jim), all of Staunton, and Johnny Ware (Jeanna), of Mt. Sidney, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Joshua, Rachel, Spencer, Cooper, Adam, Joseph and Christopher; four great-grandchildren, Samuel, Amber, Calin and Kayleigh; and a half-sister, Wanda Haussar.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in the chapel of Bear Funeral Home in Churchville, Virginia, with Pastors Henry and Janet Elsea officiating. Burial was in Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Her grandsons served as pallbearers.
Memorials may be directed to the Augusta Regional S.P.C.A., PO Box 2014, Staunton, VA 24401.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at bearfuneralhome.com
