This page is lovingly dedicated to the memory
of my Daddy
Happy
Father's
Day
in
Heaven.....
Roy Gene Ward
He left this earthly life at the age of 64 suddenly on March 22,
1995
while fishing and listening to bluegrass music, some of the
things in this life he loved to do the most....
Roy Gene Ward was born on December 18, 1932 in Choctaw County, MS
(French Camp, MS) to Robert Russie and Lily BaileyWard. He was survived
by three brothers and three sisters;
R.F.(now deceased, died six months after Daddy), Lewis, James,
Betty Mae, Kathleen, and Adelaide
Roy Ward was married to Helen Ruth Pace on December 17, 1951. They had four
children, Michael Roy Ward, Janet Helen Ward (deceased), Marilyn Genette
Ward, and Mark Pace Ward. They also have three grandsons, Graham
Michael Ward, Grayson Robert Ward, and Pace Tyler Ward. Two daughter-in-laws,
Betty Brown Ward, and Beth Shelton Ward. He was retired from 40 years
of service to Sears Roebuck, where he was a truck driver. He was
also served in the Airforce, and was a member of the Macon Road Church
of Christ in Memphis, TN.
Services were held at Memorial Park Funeral
Home Chapel, and the Winona Funeral Home, burial at the Huntsville Church
of Christ in French Camp, MS. The songs at his funeral were
"Roses will bloom again" (Jeff and Sheri Easter), "Wish you were here", (Kingsmen), "Because he lives" (Bill and Gloria Gaither) and "How Great Thou
Art" (sung congregationally during the service). Officiating were
Brother David Lipe, Professor and Instructor at Freed-Hardeman University
in Henderson, TN, Brother Jimmy Ferguson, Minister at the Stage Road Church
of Christ, and Robert L. Brown, former Minister at the Macon Road Church of
Christ, and Associate Minister at the Great Oaks Church of Christ.
Below is a "Letter from his children" that
we had read at Daddy's funeral by Brother Jimmy Fergerson....
Letter from His Children :
Michael states: "At this time we
find it so hard to understand why God had to have our Father now.
He, his grandsons, and his family would have
all been together for a week at Easter, had he lived.
As the oldest son, I tried to explain to my
sons, Graham and Grayson, that sometimes things
happen for a reason, maybe to bring us closer
together, or to make us realize how we take life for granted;
a harsh lesson to learn. Most importantly,
Betty and I told them about death being a part of life.
For those who have not experienced the loss
of one so loved as our Father, relish those moments,
whether it be a phone call from 500 miles
away, or a hug at Christmas time.
You can't fully realize how precious that
time is until it ends."
Marilyn says, "Because his first daughter,
Janet, passed away after living only four days,
my Father was particularly protective of me.
I cannot even begin to explain how this loss of my Father
will affect my life. Daddy worried about
me and did so many things for me constantly because of
all my back problems. Yet, at the same
time, he would not let me get down and depressed about it. He loved
antiques and finding those deals. When
my back would be hurting, he'd say, 'you should see that old dresser I
got yesterday, it's really pretty.' He tried so hard to take my mind
off of my back. But when I'd begin to feel better and wanted to go
somewhere, he'd comment, "now, Marilyn, your gonna run the wheels off that
car!"
If I could just hear those words again."
Mark states, "As the youngest son, no one will
never know how much I loved and will cherish
the moments of fishing and hunting with my
Daddy. The hours we spent talking in a fishing boat,
or on some deer stand, are moments I will
always hold deep in my heart forever.
The lessons about life, the love of the wilderness,
along with the "country" he came from are
lessons and
stories Beth and I will pass on to our children."
All of his children state..."Roy Ward was the
hardest working man we knew.
He passed this onto his daughter and two sons,
and it will be passed on to his grandchildren as well.
He instilled in us the importance of what
it meant to earn something. He was a fair and good man,
and would help you in any way he possibly
could. His patience with children is something we will
continue to ask him about through God in prayer.
Yes, there are so many questions, and, no,
we will not have all the answers.
But we know that through prayer and God's
saving and precious grace,
we will one day understand.
For those of you who still have your Father's
with you in this life,
go to them, hug them, and tell them how much
you love them, before it's too late.
Now in our time of sorrow, we his children,
want to thank you for being here today,
and for your prayers and thoughts,
and especially for being such a loving Christian
Family
and special friends to our parents over the
years.
To Our Daddy, "We love you and will always
miss you!"
By the way, your nose spray is in your coat
pocket! (He never could keep up with it!)
From his wife, Helen Ruth,
"Only God could Love you more than I do....."
Helen Ruth Pace Ward
Michael Roy Ward
Marilyn Genette Ward
Mark Pace Ward
"Roses Will Bloom Again....just wait and see....don't mourn what might
have been,
only God knows how and when cause Roses will Bloom Again....."
Written by:
Marilyn Genette Ward
(notice the "Gene" in my name....Daddy's middle name...he named
me)
Email me
Steve "Rabbit" Easter Official
Website
Jeff
and Sheri Easter Official Website
Angel
Shay Dixon - In Loving Memory
A
special thanks to Marcia Henry for writing such a beautiful song, "Roses
will bloom again