LaTonya Norneice (Duncan) Ward, 59, passed away peacefully holding Paul Shields hand (her significant other) on Sunday, August 2, 2020 at the Kansas City Hospice House in Missouri, after a brave battle with cancer.

LaTonya was born on July 6, 1961 in Los Angeles, California to Barbara Lewis and David Duncan. She left the state of California with her mother when she was a teenager, and went on to graduate from Topeka High, in Topeka, Kansas in 1979. After graduating high school, she attended Washburn University prior to marrying Walter Ward Jr. and moving to Frankfurt, Germany. During their ten-year marriage, she gave birth to her only child, Nicole Ward. She later attended Vocational school in Kansas City, Kansas where she received a cosmetology license. If you knew LaTonya, you knew she had a strong passion for doing hair, and she was quite the fashionista herself. She found pure joy in uplifting others and making people feel beautiful.

Besides doing hair, LaTonya enjoyed the simple things in life. She loved to exercise, take pictures, shop, talk on the phone with family and friends, and go on date nights with Paul. She picked up a part time job in the Shawnee Mission school district where she enjoyed serving the kids during her down time. She was a very kind person who loved helping others and made an impact on many people because of her huge heart and generosity.

LaTonya was preceded in death by both parents. She is survived by her daughter Nicole Ward (Missouri), and her siblings Cheryl Eckford (Texas), Carolyn Eckford (Texas), Nathaniel Duncan (California), Terrie Duncan (California), Yolonda Duncan (Georgia), and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Private Disposition. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.