WIGGINS — John Ramsey Ward, 66, died Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, at St. David’s Hospital in Austin, Texas, where he had recently moved to be closer to his daughter, Amber, and her family.
Memorial services for relatives, friends and anyone who was touched by his life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Wiggins.
Mr. Ward battled cancer and many other health problems from the time he was a teenager in Woodville where he grew up. He lived in Natchez six years and then moved with his family to Gulfport, where he and Louise Mulvihill Ward raised five daughters.
He was a longtime active member of Knights of Columbus 4th degree in St. Joseph’s Parish. He then moved to Wiggins in 2005 where he continued to serve with the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Even after losing most of his eyesight June 2000, during heart surgery, he never let it slow him down. He still enjoyed fixing things, rebuilding and loved to be outside playing with his many flowers and garden. He never met a stranger and was much loved by his family and many, many friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Rosa Escher and Clarence Ward of Woodville and Mary Oubre and James Ramsey of New Orleans; one son, John Ramsey Ward Jr.; one sister, Rosemary Hargis; one brother, C.E. “Bubba” Ward Jr.; one son-in-law, David Jordan; and one nephew, Melvin Gerrets Jr.
Survivors include five daughters, Wanda Sellers and husband, Wayne, of Wiggins, Maggie Lou Jordan and Jeanne Smith and husband, Brian, all of Saucier, Amber Roberts and husband, Caleb, of Texas and Ashley Ward; two sisters, Mildred Gerrets and husband, Melvin, of Louisiana and Barbara Ramsey Gunthier of Missouri; one brother, James Ramsey Jr. of Texas; 11 grandchildren, Brittany and Stephanie Johnson of Gulfport, Cori Robirtson and husband, Clint, Tabitha, Chelsea and Ramsey Sellers, all of Wiggins, and Stacy and Scott Ward; two step-grandchildren, Anthony and Meghan Smith; and seven great-grandchildren, Kensey and Ava Sellers, Brayden Johnson and Evan Gurtner, Ashley, Camdyn and Aubrey Roberts.
John wanted his body donated to the University Medical Science Center to help with research in finding cures for various cancers and other medical diseases.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.