Ruby Ward said the Lord led her to help the Warren County Children’s Shelter.

“I told my associate pastor about the Lord talking to me and he told me to do what the Lord said,” said. the 74-year-old member of Immanuel Baptist Church on U.S. 61 South.

So she set to work with her crochet needle, stitching up a bedspread for raffle, then sold tickets and ultimately raised $252 for the organization that houses abused, runaway and homeless children.

Ward, who has survived two near-death experiences, had wondered what the purpose of her life was now that her health wasn’t very good, said her daughter, Elaine Goodson.

“She was in a wreck and her leg was nearly severed and she almost died of cancer of the kidney,” Goodson said. “She has a hard time standing.”

But in August, while sitting in church, listening to children’s shelter director Cindy McCarley talk about what the shelter does and its many needs, Ward felt her purpose was revealed.

Living on what Goodson calls a “fixed income,” Ward decided to buy thread to crochet a bedspread, raffle it at $1 a ticket and give the proceeds to the shelter.

Ward said she has crocheted over years about 25 bedspreads and some tablecloths.

“It takes me about three or four months to finish,” she said.

“I used a pineapple pattern my older sister gave me and I like to finish one before I start another one,” she said.

On Tuesday, Ward, Goodson and Ward’s great-granddaughter Paise-lee Goodson took the finished bedspread to the shelter along with a box containing the names of ticket-buyers.

McCarley pulled the winning name — Lewis Davis of Satartia.

McCarley said she will “use the money for whatever the needs of the kids are.”

The Warren County Children’s Shelter is partially funded by the county, grants and community contributions.

“All the donations we receive,” said McCarley, “are used even if it means sharing with other United Way agencies.”

For more information about the children’s shelter visit www.mchscares.org.