Leona C. Ward Hill, 88, of Gideon, Mo., formerly of Holcomb, Mo., died Thursday, June 1, 2006, at Gideon Care Center at Gideon.

Born Sept. 11, 1917, at Florence, Ala., she was a daughter of the late L.W. and Ola Key Crain. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Murphy and Albert Crain and one sister, Earlene, son-in-law, Pat Samples and two grandchildren.

On May 17, 1937 at Cardwell, Mo. she married James Robert Ward who preceded her in death June 14, 1976. She later married L.D. Hill of Clarkton, Mo. who survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Donnie Ward and wife, Wanda, of Loretto, Tenn., Harold Ward and wife, Donna, of Maryville and Bobby Ward and wife, Rita, of Piggott, Ark.; one daughter, Shirley Samples of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; three brothers, James Crain, Phelix Crain and Malcolm Crain; five sisters, Gladys Grassie, Ora Mae, Geny Lee, Deloris and Felicia; nine grand children and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are 2 p.m. today, Sunday, June 4, at McDaniel Funeral Home at Kennett with the Rev. Luther Crain officiating.

Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Kennett.