Born on February 27, 1949, in Cuba, she was a daughter of the late Glenda McGraw and Andrew J. "Mike" Cummins, but was raised by her father, Mike, and his second wife, Norma Wood. On December 23, 1972, in Friendship, she married Jerry E. Ward who predeceased her on March 12, 2025.

She was a graduate of Friendship Central School Class of 1967.

Barb was employed at the Friendship Foundry and later as an assembler at Prestolite Electric Corp. in Arcade for 23 years retiring in 2016.

She was a member of the Friendship American Legion Post 1168 Auxiliary and enjoyed cooking, loved vacationing and traveling, but most of all spending time with her family.

She is survived by her children, Jodi (Patrick) Clark, Dustin Ward, Douglas (Monica) Ward, Ross (Marjory) Ward, Megan (Tony) Solomon, Amanda Ward all of Friendship, and Becky (Brian) Hicks of Richburg; her grandchildren, Maranda, Cole, Austin, Rafe, MacKenzie, Jarret, Trent, Jeremy, Joseph, Mark Jr., Zane, Claire, Piper, McKayla, Shakira, Kirsten, Kiley, Brock, and Karlee; 14 great grandchildren; a brother David (Annette) Cummins of Statesville, NC and a sister Linda (John) Austin of Fayetteville, NC; several nieces and nephews, and many foster children throughout the years.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a grandson Clayson Pangburn.

Friends may call at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street, Cuba, on Saturday, September 5, 2026 from Noon until 2:00 P.M. A Celebration of Life will be held after visitation at the Friendship American Legion, 29 Depot Street, Friendship, NY 14739.

Memorials may be made to the Friendship American Legion Post 1168 or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Barbara touched many children's lives throughout her life and meant a lot to many people and will be deeply missed.