Catherine Stuart Pannill Ward

Catherine Stuart Pannill Ward, 75, of Martinsville, passed away at Kings Grant on July 22nd, 2026. She was born in Danville, Virginia on January 19th, 1951.

Stuart loved reading and games and was known for her endless love for cats. She also possessed a bit of sass and quick wit.

Stuart was a graduate of Salem Academy in Winston-Salem and attended Sophie Newcomb College / Tulane University in New Orleans. She worked a number of years at Pannill Knitting Company, followed by becoming a part of the Tacoma, Inc. family which owned and operated Taco Bell restaurants.

She was preceded in death by her mother Catherine Bass Pannill and her father William Gordon Pannill and husband, Ray Ward.

She is survived by Kit Pannill, her brother Will Pannill and his wife Susan and children Gordon, Stuart and wife Tempe, Taylor and Catie and nephews Beau and Bonner, and niece Virginia.

The family would like to thank Stuart’s devoted caregivers Tammy Watson, Kathie, Mary and Kim. A noon mass for Stuart will be held Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with a reception to follow at the Episcopal Church Parish House.

McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville, Va. is serving the family. To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com