Donya Raye Ward-Foxx

Donya Raye Ward Foxx was born on Monday, August 26, 1968, in Dover, Delaware, to Rev. William J. Ward, Jr. and Ursula Daniels Ward. She went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at the Baltimore-Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Donya spent her childhood with family and friends in Barclay, Maryland. She attended school in Queen Anne’s County and graduated from the Queen Anne’s County High School in Centreville, Maryland on June 6, 1986. She attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland and sang with the renowned Morgan State Gospel Choir under the directorship of Dr. Nathan Carter. After school, Donya began work at the Upper Shore Mental Health Center in Chestertown, Maryland. She later transferred to the Spring Grove Mental Health Center in Catonsville, Maryland as a direct care assistant. She loved her patients and developed many friendships with the staff. Donya met the love of her life, Pastor Kevin Linwood Foxx, and they were married on November 14, 1998, in Chestertown, Maryland. Donya and Kevin were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Kierra and Kyra. Sister Foxx, as she was known by her church family, loved Jesus. She was a faithful servant, teaching, ministering, counseling, praying, and singing. She nurtured and guided her daughters and brought them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Donya and Kevin started a church in Arbutus, Maryland and they also pastored a church in Frederick, Maryland. Even after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), she never let that stop her from praising the Lord. When Donya’s health declined and she was confined to a nursing home, she ministered to her roommates and other residents and staff whom she met. Donya had a marvelous personality and a great sense of humor. She loved her family and the many family gatherings, especially our annual Christmas Eve celebrations. She led the family every year in singing “Silent Night.” She had a special place in her heart for all her nieces and nephews and they loved her dearly. She will truly be missed by all who knew her. Donya was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leonard and Geneva Daniels, Rev. Bermuda and William J. Ward, Sr., father-in-law, Ronald Foxx and mother-in-law, Carolyn Groomes. Donya leaves to cherish precious memory, her loving husband, Pastor Kevin Foxx of Baltimore, MD; two devoted daughters, Kierra Foxx of Wilmington, DE and Kyra Foxx of Baltimore, MD; parents, Pastor Emeritus William J. Ward, Jr., and Mrs. Ursula Daniels Ward; brothers, Charles Ford (Arlene), William Ford (La Tascha), Pastor Daniel Ward (Angela) and adopted brother, Rev. Steven Ford (Donna); sisters-in-law, Karen Foxx and Kim Foxx; five aunts, Greta Fountain, Barbara Hines, Jeralin Rochester (Robert), Karen Lewis and Lisa Powell; godfather, Robert Tate; godsisters, Vanette Seals, Dana Benson and Erin Johnson; godbrother, Charles Benson; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. Sorrowfully Submitted, The Family

Donya Raye Ward-Foxx

August 26, 1968 - November 2, 2022