Obituary of Ernestine "Teeny" Nuckels Ward

Ernestine “Teeny” Nuckels Ward, age 98 of Knoxville, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was reunited with her husband, Curt, on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.  Ernestine was born on April 11, 1925, in Norton, VA to Ernest and Pearl Nuckels.  Ernestine worked 40 plus years as a Registered Nurse and surgical nurse at Holston Valley Medical Center; she also worked for Dr. H. Jim Brown for many years.  On October 9, 1949, Ernestine married her most cherished friend and love of her life, Curtis “Curt” Ray Ward, and after sharing a beautiful life together and raising a family together, he preceded her in death on October 2, 1977.   

Ernestine loved traveling, working puzzles, reading, and sewing.  On her days off, she was an active volunteer for hospice patients and Holston Valley Medical Center.  She was a devout Christian, and she was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church in Kingsport, TN.   

Ernestine was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 28 years, Curtis “Curt” Ray Ward; daughter, Debi Colwell; two granddaughters, Amanda Coker, and Heather Colwell; and three sisters, Ada Pearl Bernhardt, Willie Lee Dingus, and Ruby Bea Paige.  Those left to cherish her beautiful memory are her two daughters, Mary Ripley and husband Michael, and Judi Coker and husband Rod; son-in-law, Wayland Colwell; six grandchildren, Tyler Ward Enix, Jackson Enix and wife Amy, Brooklynne Enix, Beau Coker and wife Toni, Ashley Zufall and husband Tyler, and Whitney Neiditch and husband Brian; four great grandchildren, Jared Coker, Liam Coker, Ty Parker Neiditch, and Arista Enix; close friend, George Spears; and many loving nieces, nephews, and other family members.   

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 29, 2023, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm at Carter Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport.  Graveside services will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park at 2:00 pm, and Ernestine’s family will be serving as pallbearers. 

Carter Trent Funeral Home Kingsport is serving the Ward family.