The late Emily Ann Ward from Whiteville passed away today at 2:43 PM after being on a ventilator for seven days. Emily was a resilient woman who, despite being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at a young age, managed to walk throughout her life, defying the doctors’ predictions that she would be in a wheelchair by age 20.
Emily’s son, Eric Ward, is now seeking support to fulfill his mother’s last wishes. Eric, who was raised by Emily as a single mother, shared that they lived a difficult life, relying on her disability benefits. Despite their hardships, Emily ensured they had food, clothing, and shelter. Emily couldn’t afford life insurance due to the high premiums associated with her condition, leaving Eric struggling to cover funeral expenses.
Eric promised his mother that he would never have her cremated and that she would be buried with new underwear and her teeth. He is now asking for help through a GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise $4,000 to honor her last wishes and avoid breaking his promise. Eric expresses his deep gratitude for any assistance, emphasizing that this is about keeping his promise to his mother, who worried about him and bills throughout her life.
The community’s support will help Eric ensure his mother receives the respectful burial she deserves, fulfilling the promises he made to her.
Note:This post was written and edited by Levi Lewis, based on their expertise and research. It is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. We welcome your feedback and questions on this content. Please feel free to contact us.