Rebecca Jane McCoy Ward (Beck) was born February 18, 1942 to Gracie Mae McCoy.  She was raised in Bruce Station also known as Bruce’s in Chesapeake, VA on the Lilley Farm.  Later, she moved with her parents, Gracie and Horace Franklin to Norfolk County in Churchland which later became Portsmouth, VA.

She attended elementary school in West Norfolk in Churchland and graduated in 1960 from Crestwood High School in Chesapeake, VA.  She married Melvin Ward on October 29, 1961 and from their union three sons were born—Quentin, Derrick, and Melvin, Jr.  They made their home in Richmond, VA.  She worked as a Signet Bank Finance Department supervisor for over twenty-five years.  Following retirement, she pursued her passions.  She worked several years as a Walmart cake decorator and was an excellent cook, seamstress, crafter, quilter, embroiderer and did cross-stitching.  She made wedding cakes which were works of art and sewed formal attire for weddings, proms, and socials for family and friends.  She worked for a few years as an Urban League receptionist in Portsmouth, VA.

Beck was baptized at an early age in the river in West Norfolk by the Rev. James Douglas, former pastor of Grove Baptist Church.  As a member of Grove, she was a participant in the Senior and Missionary ministries. She made dresses which were sent to girls in Africa.  She was a soft spoken, gentle woman.  She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.  She was predeceased by her husband, Melvin Ward, and her parents, Gracie and Horace Franklin.  Three brothers—Marshall Franklin, Wayne Franklin, and Horace Franklin, Jr.  She leaves to cherish her memory her sons—Quentin Ward (Terri), Derrick Ward and Melvin Ward, Jr. and four grandchildren and two great grandchildren—all of Richmond, VA.  An aunt, Christine Eggleston; an uncle, Henry McCoy (Edna); Five sisters, Juanita Ebron (Alvin), Geraldine Sawyer, Yvonne Sparks (Michael), Alberta Thomas (Bryant) and Toni Dixon (Curtis); two brothers, Daniel Franklin (Beverly) and Benjamin Franklin (Trudy) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends and a special friend, Mary Seney.