Larry Edward Ward

Funeral services for Mr. Larry Edward Ward will begin at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 17, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Lauderdale with the Reverends David Etter, Wayne Edwards, and Mr. Mark Watson officiating. Interment will follow at Lockhart Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Ward, 73, of Toomsuba, passed away Friday, February 9, 2024, in Lauderdale, MS.

Larry was born in Meridian, MS and raised in the Blackwater community in Kemper County, MS. There are no words that could ever be written that would be good enough to emulate Larry Ward. He was so much to so many. He was patient. He loved so hard with everything he had, but he especially treasured his wife, Judy, of 52 years. His adoration of her was so evident every single day to anyone that spent even a second around them. Next to God and his family, there is nothing he loved more than his Ole Miss Rebels. He saw Jesus in sunsets and a green field or early in the morning when its’s quiet and you can only hear the Lord’s creation around you. He worked just as hard as he loved. There have been many who have gone through J&M Inc. and didn’t come out with only newfound construction skills, but with a stronger character and strive to be a better man. That was the effect Larry had on people, just to be better. Those who worked with him were his family. He cared for them like they were his own, because they were his. Rodney Garrett, CliffPatrick, Steven Patrick, and Earnest Silliman were his right hand and meant more to him than they will ever know.

Larry Ward’s passing is almost unfathomable. He lived a life about others and like a tree that has roots so deep and entangled the lives of so many people that feels it would be impossible to rid of a tree that big. There was a tree like that growing in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. One that was huge and larger than life and in its nurturing shade and canopy, it’s been producing what has now become a beautiful forest. That tree was Larry Ward.

Larry’s life will continue to live through so many. He is seen in his grandson, Ward’s, eyes and ears. He is seen in his daughter, Mary-Margaret’s, work ethic and how she pours into others. You can see him in his sons’, Allen and Ryan’s, love of serving and helping others.

Thinking about the details surrounding his passing, and although undoubtedly tragic to the highest degree, Larry’s death seems in some ways much like how he lived his life; just going about ordinary tasks, while serving others. It will never be known why it had to happen so soon, but God loved Larry Ward and took him home while he was just doing what he had always done. There was no suffering in Larry’s death. Just heaven. If you think the love of Larry Ward was strong, the love of Jesus is so much bigger. You never know what day will be your last, and if you do not have personal relationship with Jesus Christ, there is nothing that Larry would have wanted more than for everyone know this love that surpasses all understanding.

He entered the gates of heaven hearing the words, “well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Mr. Ward is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy Ward; children Allen Ward (Bethany), Mary-Margaret Adams (Shane), and Dr. Ryan Ward (Amanda); grandchildren, Savannah Adams Taylor (Corey), Anna Katherine Ward (Fiancé Gil Banks), Ward Adams, Katie Allyn Ward; great-granddaughter, Ellison Scott Banks; siblings, Linda Ward Crane and Vicki Ward Singletary (Allan); sisters-in-law, Barbara Brents (Buddy), Sue Irby (Kenny), Gay Collins (Dale); a mother-in-law that he adored Margaret Pritchett, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Mr. Larry is preceded in death by his parents Albert Ward and Mary Watson Ward Ross Upchurch; his daughter, Brandy Danielle Ward and his father-in-law Tommy Pritchett

Pallbearers will be Eric Collins, Jeremy Collins, Wayne Irby, Brian Irby, Daniel Fout, Brad Grayson, John Kynard, Buck Jones, Jimmy Reynolds, and Matthew Garrett. Honorary Pallbearers will be the employees of MS J & M, Inc.

The Ward Family suggests that memorials be made as donations to Lockhart Cemetery Association, care of Lynn Posey, 8702 Barnacastle Road, Toomsuba, MS 39364 or to Blackwater Baptist Church Cemetery Fund in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be expressed at robertbarhamffh.com.

The Ward Family will receive guests from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday, February 16, 2024 at the funeral home and from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM prior to funeral rites in the church.