Kimberly Dawn (Johnson) Ward, age 53 of Terra Haute, Indiana, passed away on December 17, 2025 at 7:20 pm at Signature Nursing Home in Terra Haute, Indiana.  She was a mother and adopted mother to many of Jackie's and Heather's friends and she loved each one of us in her own way.

She was born April 20th, 1972 in Dixon, Illinois, to Elvin and Karen Whitford.  Her adoptive  parents were Ralph and Margie Johnson.

Survivors include her father Elvin and his wife Aleta Whitford, her daughter Jacqueline Svitek,  her adopted daughter Kathlene Haire, her sisters Diana Doroubi, Stephanie Wilson, and Norma Rose-Ann Whitford, her adoptive brothers Rocky and Rusty Johnson, and sister Karla Dyring,  her grandkids Michael, Katie, Ajay, Ziva and all her nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles and cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her daughter Heather Svitek, her mother Karen Whitford, her adoptive  mother and father Ralph and Margie Johnson and her brother John Wayne Stephens as well as her dog Oreo.

My mother loved to travel with me and when we were growing up she allowed our friends to come stay whenever they wanted. She was known as Mama Bear and to many and would always help anyone.  She watched a lot of kids and she loved them all equally. She showed me how to open my heart up to people in need.  Mom was very loving , very caring  and always made sure someone had a smile on their face at all times.  She loved to crochet, she loved  diamond arts and her bells. She enjoyed going out to eat with her daughters for Chinese  food or to get Pizza Hut.  She loved spending time with the grandkids, they were the joys of her life and they always put a smile on her face.  She could never stop talking about her grandkids.  She is going to be truly and deeply missed  by everyone she knew.  She was a rare soul. 

 We would like to thank everyone at Signature and Heart to Heart Hospice for everything they have done for her. We cannot thank you all enough.