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Submitted: 10/18/21 • Approved: 10/18/21 • Last Updated: 10/21/21 • R1396639-G1396639-S3
John 22 May 1934 - 10 Oct 2019
Melba 07 May 1936 - 15 Oct 2021
Marriage:
John Ward son of John Arvil Ward and Hattie Mae (Rucker) Ward. Melba J (Peel) Ward daughter of Adron Peel and Rena Peel.
**obituary
John W Ward
22 May 1934 - 10 Oct 2019
John W. Ward, 85 of Charlotte died Thursday, October 10, 2019 at his home. He was born May 22, 1934 in Boynton, Arkansas to John Arvil and Hattie Mae (Rucker) Ward. He was a retired farmer and carpenter and a member of Swifton First Assembly of God Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, David Ward and Ephraim Ward.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Melba Peel Ward of the home; two sons, Johnny Ward and wife Annette of Charlotte and David Ward and wife Melissa of Cedar Grove; two daughters, Phyllis Martin and husband Jim of Rosie and Kathy Franks and husband Doug of Charlotte; two sisters, Louise Cagle of Paragould and Loeda Carter and husband J.W. of Conway; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Qualls Batesville Funeral Service Chapel in Batesville with Bro. Carl Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the Charlotte Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., at the funeral home.
Obituary located through Qualls Funeral Service Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas. Published Oct 2019 © 2012 - 21 Qualls Funeral Service. All Rights Reserved.
And his wife,
Melba J. Ward
May 07, 1936 - October 15, 2021
Melba J. Ward of Charlotte was reunited with her beloved husband, John, in heaven on Friday, October 15th, 2021. This world below got to be blessed by the heart and soul of Melba for 85 years, and the world is definitely a better place for it. She was born to Adron and Rena Peel of Leachville on May 7th, 1936. She was a retired teacher’s aide, a member of the Swifton First Assembly of God church, and, according to what she told her grandkids when they were children, the namesake of the Melba Theater in downtown Batesville, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, Jim Peel, and grandchildren Sarah and Jason Martin and Hattie June Franks.
Those who she left behind will miss getting to experience her laughing until she snorted, cheating at dominoes (allegedly), proclaiming any home cooked meal or dessert was the “best she ever had”, and seeing her reflect the love and compassion of Jesus to anyone she met.
Her loved ones that will carry her memory forward are her oldest daughter, Phyllis Martin and husband Jim of Rosie; oldest son, Johnny Ward and wife Annette of Charlotte; youngest daughter, Kathy Franks and husband Doug of Charlotte; youngest son, David Ward and wife Melissa of Cedar Grove; one brother, Bob Peel and wife Jeanne of Cardwell.
She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren including Jimmy Martin, wife Valerie, and daughters Clara and Chloe of Rosie; Brian Martin, wife Casey, and children Harley, Darby, and Stormy of Rosie; Grason Martin, wife Michelle, and daughters Teia and Tori of Rosie; Jonathan Ward of Tuckerman; Joey Ward, wife Maggie, and daughter Juniper of Brookland; John Franks and wife Sarah of Jonesboro; Zach Franks, wife Cheyenne, and daughters Evalynn and Becca of Charlotte; Maranda Cole and husband Ryan of Swifton; and Ethan Ward of Cedar Grove. Lastly, a host of other relatives and friends, including the hundreds of strangers she befriended anywhere she went and the residents and their families of Woodlawn Nursing Home will deeply miss her.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Qualls Batesville Funeral Service Chapel with Bro. Brandon Gates officiating. Burial will follow in the Charlotte Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, October 18, 2021 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be her loving grandsons and her only granddaughter will serve as honorary pallbearer.
Obituary located through Qualls Funeral Service Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas. Published 17 Oct 2021 © 2012 - 21 Qualls Funeral Service. All Rights Reserved.
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Contributed on 10/18/21 by denise.bratcher63
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Record #: 1396639