Regina Melinda Ward

On December 20, 1958, Regina Melinda Ward was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Daughter of the late Ray Alvie Cunningham and Mary Annie Laura (Hughes) Cunningham Keith, Regina grew up in Taylorville, Alabama and attended Pepperell Schools in Opelika, Alabama. Regina made a profession of faith as a young girl and was baptized in the Englewood Southern Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa. As a young girl, Regina moved to Pontiac, Michigan for a short period of time before returning to Alabama. After returning to Alabama, Regina met a young man by the name of Robert Graydon Ward. They began dating and she moved to the dairy farm in Missouri with him in 1987. They were united in marriage on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1989, in Lynchburg, Missouri. Between the two of them, Regina and Robert shared five children: Stacy, John, April, Amanda, and Robert. Regina has been a hardworking woman since her teenage years when she began working in a screen-printing shop. After coming to Missouri, she held various jobs, including housekeeping for numerous local hotels, serving as janitor for Dr. Jenkins, EDP on Fort Leonard Wood, Piney Ridge Center, and owning her own flea market “Indian Swamp Collectibles”. Mostly, Regina was privileged to be the best homemaker, wife, and mother to her husband and children. In her spare time, Regina enjoyed being outdoors while working on the farm helping with the cattle, fishing, camping, paddle boating, and horseback riding. She had a “green thumb” which was evident in her flower gardens and plants that she tenderly cared for, and she always enjoyed the spring when the dogwoods would bloom. Regina loved listening to country music, was an avid Alabama Roll Tide fan, and everyone that knew her, knew her love for her favorite drink, Dr. Pepper. Regina’s first love was her family. She loved them dearly and treasured all the time that they could spend together, especially with the grandchildren. Regina made every moment together as special as she could because she knew that the most important thing in life was her family. Regina passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the University of Missouri Hospital & Clinics of Columbia, Missouri having attained the age of 66 years. She will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband: Robert “Bobby” Ward of the home; five children: Stacy Ann Blankenship of Opelika, AL, John William Smith of Dixon, MO, April Louise Huerta (Joshua) of Richland, MO, Amanda Koehl (Bobby) of the State of Nevada, and Robert Graydon Pastor of Kansas City, MO; fourteen grandchildren; eight great grandchildren with two on the way; two sisters: Denise Harrington (Larry) of Opelika, AL and Lynn Broome of Dadeville, AL; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Regina was preceded in death by her brother: Dennis Cunningham; son-in-law: Maine Wells; grandchild: Taylor Jo; and nephew: Timmy Harrington. Even though she is gone from our sight, Regina’s love for the outdoors and her family will live on in our hearts forever. Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 25, 2025 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Pastor Keith Carnahan officiating. Jeff Bradley, Richard Baptiste, Terry Baker, and Gina's husband, Bobby, shared their wonderful memories of Gina. The songs "You Look Like You Love Me" by Ella Langley & Riley Green, "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Love Can Build a Bridge" by The Judds, and "In the Garden" by Billy Dean & Susan Ashton. Serving as escorts were Josh Huerta, Atticus Huerta, Micaela Smith, Joshua Holmes, Nathan Stough, Christopher Smith, Robert Smith, and Abagail Holmes. Burial followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery of Waynesville, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Regina Ward to the Shop with a Cop and can be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Regina Melinda Ward

December 20, 1958 - April 17, 2025