Charlotte Vianne Ward-Williams

Charlotte Vianne "Vi" Ward, 82, passed away November 29 after battling a respiratory disease. Vi was the youngest of six children born to the late James Howard and Ruth Mae (Barnes) Ward. A lifelong Washington resident, Vi attended Washington High School where she graduated in 1959. After graduation she attended Penn Commercial College. She later worked for Washington County Judge Curran and was one of the first African Americans employed at Superior Valve.

Vianne was a faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church that her grandparents, Charles and Lillie Barnes, co-founded. She served in many roles at Friendship including as a choir member, usher, Sunday school teacher, and president of he Pastor's Aide. 

From the 1960s through the 1980s, Vianne led and choreographed Drill Teams that were acclaimed for their precise performances. During the same time frame, she directed fashion shows throughout the tri-state area with her organization, Visions. An outstanding model, Vi was known for her style and sense of fashion. Always well dressed, Vianne would brag about the deals she found at her favorite store . . . Gabriel's. She continued to be impeccably dressed as her mobility and breathing declined, and joked that she needed some 'bling' for her oxygen tank.  

Along with her sense of style, Vianne had an incredible sense of humor. Family and friends loved when she came around as Vi could turn any situation into hysterical laughter!  Although her marriage to John Williams and long term relationship with Harold 'Butch' Vactor ended, many recall how delightful it was to be with each couple as they provided unforgettable laughs.

Vianne was known to be neat and orderly, with everything sanitized clean. Nobody was better at cleaning a kitchen. She enjoyed bowling, music, Scrabble, and absolutely loved Mickey Mouse! At Christmas she organized family games with
 gag gifts for the winners and kept everyone laughing while playing the only card game she liked, Uno. Vi was not one to do much cooking, but she enjoyed a good meal including homemade mashed potatoes and spaghetti. 

In addition to her parents, preceding Vianne in death were her five siblings: sisters Nancy Louise, Hazel, and Audrey Elaine as well as brothers James and Charles Ward. Mourning Vi's passing are her aunt Irene Edwins, sisters-in-law Lila Ward and Mildred Ward, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, Godchildren, and extended family.
 

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