Reverend James Earl Ward, Sr., a resident of Barbour County, near Blue Springs, died Sunday night, January 26, 2025 at his home. He was 94.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Sunday, February 2, 2025, in the Shiloh Word Fellowship with Rodney Williams, Jonathan Smith and Reverend Charlie Joyner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 P.M. Sunday in the church sanctuary. Holman- Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh Word Fellowship “Building Fund,” c/o Winelle Teal, 141 Pacific Street, Dothan, AL 36303.

Reverend Ward was born and reared in Henry County, near Abbeville. As a teenager, he worked with his family on the farm. Reverend Ward served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korea War as a Combat Medic. He lived in Columbus, Georgia twenty-six years before moving to Barbour County in 1980. While living in Columbus, he worked over thirty years as truck driver for Georgia Highway Express. Reverend Ward served Shiloh Word Fellowship as its Pastor for twentyfive years. He was also employed by Evans Building Materials and Buddy’s Building Supply and served in the Prison Ministry at Ventress Correctional Facility. He was a member of Shiloh Word Fellowship where he played the harmonica. He was preceded in death by father, Jesse James Ward, his mother, Alma Wilkinson Moore, his wife, Virginia Bryan Ward, his son-in-law, Robert Wilkinson and a sister, Ila Mae Sheffield.

Surviving relatives include a daughter, Jenita Wilkinson, a son, Reverend James Earl “Buddy” Ward, Jr. (Charlene), all of Blue Springs; grandchildren, Lori Williams (Rodney), and Brittany Joyner (Michael); great-grandchildren, John Joyner and Joshua Joyner; a brother, Jimmy Shelley, and his special canine friend, “Mr. T”.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Rodney Williams, Michael Joyner, Joe Whatley, Shane Teal, Christopher Smith and James Roy Wilkinson.