Percell Avent Ward was born to the late Johnnie Avent and Bettie Mae Sessoms in Battleboro, North Carolina on August 7, 1935. She was the second oldest of five daughters. She was educated in the Nash County North Carolina school system were she received her high school diploma.
On July 11, 1955, she was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life Thermond Junior Ward. This union was blessed with four children. A few years later, she and her family moved to Washington DC to pursue a better life. While living in Washington, she joined the Corinthian Baptist Church where she was a faithful member until her passing. During her time at Corinthian, Percell served on many ministries where she held various leadership positions. She was president of the Gainey Spirituals Choir, recording secretary of the Deaconess Ministry, a member of the Trustees and Ladies Auxiliary, and Titus II Womens Ministry.

Percell held many occupations in her lifetime. Her final place of employment was at NOVA Research Company where she served as a receptionist from 2004 to 2014. She loved this job because it allowed her to get out the house and meet new people. Some of her favorite hobbies included watching soap operas and wrestling, solving word find puzzles, fine dining, and of course, shopping. She loved to cook for her family and Sunday dinner was the highlight of the week. She was a trusted confidant and bonus mother to many, always willing to offer an encouraging word to those in need. She was a kind hearted, loving, supportive, God-fearing woman with a sweet and gentle spirit. Her sassiness along with her sassy fashion sense made her almost unforgettable to anyone she met. And let's not forget those hats. You know her Sunday outfit was not complete until she paired it with her most treasured accessory…her hat.

On Thursday, January 26, 2023, Percell transitioned from this life to eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lucy Bell Burgess, Mattie Ruth Sessoms, Dorothy Ann Parker, and Beatrice Seassoms, and husband of 67 years, Thermond.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children Bettie Joyce Murray, Thermond Ward Jr., Marvin Ward, and Katrina Ward-Green (Gregory); granddaughter Michelle L. Murray, grandson Marvin Lewis, and bonus grandson Marc Green; brother-in-law Reverend Mann Thomas Ward, best friend/sister-in-law Jennie Ward, bonus daughter Mina Evans Alston (Claude), her dearest friend Deaconess Pauline McDaniel, nieces and nephew who held a special place in her heart Patricia Young (Carlos), Debra Arrington (George), Angela Ward Henry (Kevin), Kinston Levon Sessoms (Vesta), and a host of other nieces, nephews, and friends.