Eliza Faris Ward

Eliza Faris Ward, 44, passed away Monday, March 8, 2021, at the Solace Center in Asheville NC, following a brief illness.  She was born March 25, 1976 in Columbia, SC and graduated from Dreher High School.  Faris left Columbia following graduation and made a life for herself in Asheville.  She worked both at the YWCA and as part of the administrative staff at Women At Risk/Western Carolinians for Criminal Justice—a position she treasured and held until the program closed.  She was a loving mother to two teenage boys, Micah Stanton Ward, age 17, and Samuel Warren Shiloh Ward, age 15, both of the home.  She was also devoted to Shiloh’s sisters, Samantha Peak and Samara Abdul-Allah, both of Asheville.  
She is survived by her mother, Dianne Stanton Ward (Richard Lawhon) of Pittsboro NC; father, Johnnie Ward of Florence SC; sister, Johnna (Mark) Massoni, and nephew Brady of Apex, NC; her aunt, Leslie Stanton (Steve) Couick of Rock Hill SC, and great-aunt Emily Roberts (Jerry) of Columbia SC.  In addition, Faris leaves behind her special friend, Travis (Roberts) who loved and cared for her for many years, and was especially devoted during her final days.  Faris adored her family and the many friends she made over her lifetime. She also had a deep affection for animals, and she expanded her family with several rescue dogs, including, Charles (Charlie) Barkley and Leo.   
Faris had a flair for everything artistic and also possessed a wicked sense of humor.  She enjoyed cooking southern meals with family recipes that connected her to Mimi and Daddy Dave (grandparents) and Mamaw and Poppie (great- grandparents).  She also had a talent for gardening that she inherited from her great-grandmother, but most of all what she enjoyed was spending time with her children. Faris had a special place in her heart for Jamaica where she had visited and made dear friends.  She held a love for the Island and its people long after her time there. In keeping with the tradition of the Jamaicans, we say to you, our sweet Faris: “Mi luv yuh wid all a mi heart” and “Inna di morrowz”. 
In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a foundation in Faris’s memory at The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Donations may be made by check to CFWNC 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300, Asheville, NC 28803 (In the memo line, state “Eliza Faris Ward Fund for Single Moms”). Donations may also be made online via CFWNC’s portal at cfwnc.org. Click on “Give Now” and select her foundation memorial event. https://cfwnc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=3640

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