Joyce Ann Ward Eatmon, fondly known as “Shortie,” was born May 13, 1935, and raised in Cincinnati. She departed this life on Oct. 5, 2014, at River Region Medical Center after a brief illness.

She was the youngest of four siblings born to Ollie Ward and Irma Jean (Crutcher) Ward.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother; her sister, Ollie June Wilson; brother Calvin Quitman Ward; her nephew Fred Andrews Jr.; niece Robin Wilson; in-laws, George and Maggie Ross; and dearest friend, Dorothy Washington of New Rochelle N.Y.

Joyce attended elementary and secondary schools in Cincinnati. Upon graduating, She worked as a home care worker, and primarily as an assistant manager in her mother’s restaurant until moving to New York in 1965.

In 1969, she married George A. Eatmon in Mount Vernon, N.Y. She worked as a private home manager for several Westchester County, N.Y. families.

After many friends requested day care for their children, “Shortie” began providing day care services in 1980.

In 1984, “Shortie” relocated to Vicksburg, working various jobs until returning to childcare. This endeavor is where she had her greatest impact.  Providing childcare to families in the Vicksburg community allowed her to touch the lives of so many.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, George A. Eatmon of Vicksburg; son, Al-Farid R. Salahuddin (Brenda) of Mount Vernon, N.Y.; oldest brother Lester A. (Harriet) Ward of Cincinnati, brother Wayne Ward (Ollie) of Cincinnati;  stepson, George Gary Eatmon of New York; sisters-in-law Yvonne Ross of Vicksburg and Jackie Irillo of Rye N.Y.; six grandsons, Rasul, Anwar,Kafele, Quadri Salahuddin and Eric V. Short, all of Mount Vernon, N.Y., Edward V. Short (Camron and Angela) of Albany N.Y.; granddaughter Deedra Williams (Rhasaan) of Fresno Calif.; great-grand children, Khalil and Maiah Salahuddin of Mount Vernon N.Y., Malik Salahuddin of Phoenix and Maikai Salahuddin of Oakland Calif.; a special nephew, Demetrius Nicodemus Ward of Cincinnati; special nieces, Asya and Yasmin Ross; grandniece, Brooklynn Ross, all of Vicksburg; and other nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family members, Jean Richardson, James “Smitty” Smith, and Betty Washington all of Mount Vernon N.Y.