Iva Anne Ham of Rising Sun, MD, age 79, passed away Tuesday, June 06, 2017. She was born February 4, 1938.

Iva started teaching Sunday school at West Nottingham Presbyterian. She later became a member of Janes United Methodist Church where she continued to actively teach Sunday school. Iva and her husband, Earl, hosted sailors stationed at Bainbridge. She held many jobs throughout her years, but she most enjoyed her job at the Library at Perry Point, MD. She was a past Cecil County Farm Queen. Iva enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, making flower arrangements, oil and charcoal painting, ceramics and cake decorating. She spent the majority of her life raising and nurturing her four children while caring for many others in the community. Being a natural care giver and excellent cook, Iva would often cook and deliver dinners to those in need. She was a very talented and blessed woman who brought joy to so many with her kind heart and generous gestures.

Iva is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Charles “Earl” Ham, Sr., four children: Charles Ham, Jr. and his wife, Terry, David Ham, Steven Ham and his wife, Jaime and Lisa Ham; six grandchildren: Jennifer Rock, Kristen Ham, Brennon Ham, Austin Ham, Dalton Lahti and Shane Lahti; and great-grandchild Bentley Rock. Iva is preceded in death by her mother, Gertrude (Palmer) Rakes.

The family would like to send a special thank you to the staff at Elkton Transitional Care, Union Hospital, Dialysis Center and Joanne Clark for their love, care and support.

A Celebration of Iva’s life will be held at 11:30AM on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, 111 S. Queen St., Rising Sun, MD 21911. Family and friends may begin visiting at 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made payable to the “American Diabetes Association” and sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 248, Rising Sun, MD 21911.