Name Paul B Ward
Event Type Marriage
Event Date 05 Oct 1945
Event Place Craven, North Carolina, United States
Gender Male
Age 53
Birth Year (Estimated) 1892
Father's Name J D Ward
Mother's Name Florence Ward
Spouse's Name Katie Clyde Rodgers
Spouse's Gender Female
Spouse's Age 34
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated) 1911
Spouse's Father's Name Wm B Mayo
Spouse's Mother's Name Lula Mayo

North Carolina Deaths
Name Katie Clyde Rogers Ward
Event Type Death
Event Date 01 Dec 1945
Event Place Washington, Beaufort, North Carolina
Birth Year 1911
Burial Date 02 Dec 1945
Burial Place Washington, N.C.
Cemetery Oakdale
Residence Place Washington, Beaufort, North Carolina
Address R. #3
Gender Female
Age 34
Marital Status Married
Race (Original) White
Occupation Domestic
Birth Date 18 May 1911
Birthplace Pitt, N.C.
Father's Name Willie B. Mayo
Father's Birthplace Beaufort, N.C.
Mother's Name Lula Gardner
Mother's Birthplace Pitt, N.C.
Spouse's Name Paul Ben Ward

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RALEIGH MONDAY
FARM COUPLE DIE IN BEAUFORT FIRE

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Ward of Washington, Route 3, Perish-in Blaze at Home
Washington, December, Ben Ward, 54, farmer of Washington, Route 3, and his wife Mrs. Katie Mayo Ward, 34, were burned to death at their home Saturday evening around 6 o'clock when Ward mistakenly poured a quantity of gasoline on a heater fire in the home's living room producing an explosion which sprayed burning gasoline over the entire room.
The couple were alone in the room at the time of the accident. Their five children were playing in the yard and rushed into the house after hearing the explosion, with the aid of neighbors they succeeded in saving the house though Mr. and Mrs. Ward were burned beyond recognition and died in a few minutes.
It was reported that Ward thought he was pouring kerosene on the fire but picked up a five-gallon container of gasoline which had been placed in the room. The explosion blew the bottom off the can and the room was badly damaged by the blaze.
Beaufort County Coroner Richard Cherry stated that he arrived 15 minutes after the fire began and that the victims were both dead when he reached the residence. He ruled the deaths accidental and deemed no inquest necessary.
The couple had been married only two months.
Mr. Ward was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Ward of Beaufort County. He was a lifelong resident of the county and a member of the Old Ford Christian Church. He operated a contracting business in addition to his farm work.
Mrs. Ward was the former Katie Clyde Mayo. daughter of W.B. Mayo and the late Mrs. Mayo. She was born in Pitt County, but had resided in Beaufort County for the past 12 years. She was first married to Nick Rogers, farmer of Washington Route 2, who died five years ago,
Surviving are two daughters, Loyce Rogers and Dallah Ray Ward, both of the home; and four sons, John Rogers, Lindsay Rogers, Barrie Rogers and Joel Lane Rogers all of the home.
Surviving Mrs. Ward are her father: two brothers, Dan Mayo and Ben A. May all of Washington Route 3: five sisters Mrs. Zeno Mills of Greenville Route 1, Mrs. Marion Hall and Mrs. H.A. Stocks both of Washington Route 3, Mrs. Shirley Mills of Norfolk, Va, and Annie B. Mayo of Washington Route 3: and two stepsons. Surviving Mr. Ward are two half-brothers, John Ward and Denby Ward both of Washington Route 2.
Double funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the graveside in Oakdale Cemetery here by the Rev. Elmore Turner, pastor of the Washington Christian Church.

The News and Observer, December 3, 1945, Page 12. via Newspapers.com