Tresa Violet Ward

Tresa Violet Ward (nee West) age 90, died at her residence in Massillon OH on January 27, 2026 under hospice care.

Tresa was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Paul R. Ward; and by her parents Ister and Edith West (nee Ealy).

 She is survived by her brother John (Freda) West; and children Shirlene Ward (Kevin Kipp), Rhonda Windholtz (Tim), Paul R. Ward, II (Beverly), and Brian Ward. Tresa was loved by her eight grandchildren: Dan Kipp, Paul Kipp, Marianne Shahid (Hamid), Nolan Windholtz (Jessie), Leah Butler (Rich), Paige Do (Andrew), Casey Ward (Jaiden), and Jason Ward (Halle); by ten great-grandchildren: Evan Shahid, Nicholas Shahid, Reagan Windholtz, Callum Windholtz, Grace Butler, Sophia Butler, Rich M. Butler, Amelia Ward, Zeppelin Ward, and Odessa Ward; as well as three of her husband’s siblings: Merle Dunn, Berle Ward (Karmen), Theo Jones; and by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Tresa was born in Belton, WV, on June 27, 1935, the daughter of a revival preacher and always held a strong reliance on her faith. Tresa was a 1952 graduate of Cameron High School in Marshall County WV. A life-long lover of reading and learning, she sacrificed to make certain her children had the higher educations that she was never able to receive. She was a lover of libraries, and was always very proud of the excellent library in Gallipolis. Her friends often reached out to her for book recommendations, and she kept a box of books in her car to share with others.

Tresa spent her early adult years in Beverly, Ohio, raising her four children and tending a large garden outside Beverly, Ohio. She was active in the Beverly United Methodist Church teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir and volunteered with the Fort Frye PTA. She joined the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron. 

A few years after moving to Gallipolis in 1973, she became a teaching assistant at Washington Elementary School. From the school she worked fifteen years at Columbia Gas of Ohio, and also worked at the Gallia County Sherriff’s office, where she remained until her retirement. 

Following her husband’s death in 1996, she found comfort from and was an active member at Grace United Methodist Church (now Grace Church), leading women’s circles, cooking and serving many meals, organizing bazaars, attending Bible studies, and bookkeeping for the Sunday offering. She had many great memories of travel with friends on AAA and Garden club tour groups. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered for the Lutheran Social Services Food Truck.

In October 2024, Tresa moved to Danbury Senior Living in Massillon, Ohio, where she received wonderful care. Tresa was a loved and valued member of her community, and she will be missed by all who knew her.

A private interment will be held at Ohio Valley Memory Gardens, Gallipolis.

A memorial service to honor Tresa’s life is planned for Saturday March 7, 2026 at 2:00 pm with a gathering of friends to follow at Grace Methodist Church, 600 2nd Ave., Gallipolis, OH 45631.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Grace Methodist Church.