Samuel “Sammy” James Ward

Samuel “Sammy” James Ward, age 81, of Monticello, passed away Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at Piedmont Walton in Monroe, Ga. after a brief illness.
Sammy Ward was born on Dec. 17, 1939 to the late Sam Andrew Ward and Margaret Evelyn Ward. He was born and raised in Monticello, Fla. and graduated from Jefferson County High School in 1960. While serving in the U.S. Army, Sammy received many trophies for participation on the Service Rifle Team.
Sammy lived in Walton County before moving to Jasper County over twenty years ago. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #6 in Covington, Ga. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, baling hay, working cows, riding horses, and eating crab legs.
Before retirement, he worked as a lineman for the Contractors of Georgia Power for over forty years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Benjamin Andrew Ward and John Henry Ward; and sisters: Wanitta Ward, Eva Mayville, Iva Lee Roberts and Nancy Wagner.
He is survived by his loving wife of forty-six years, Sarah Ausburn Ward of Monticello; children: Samuel James Ward, Jr. of Conyers; John Shannon (Tab) Ward of Broken Arrow, Okla.; David Shane (Tina) Ward of Monticello; and Mamie Suzanne Ward (John Smith), of Monticello; grandchildren: Victoria Ward, Ashley Haggard, Devin Ward, Kerah Ward, David Shane Ward, Jr., Codi Hawkins, Breanna Noojin, Brandon Michael Zawlocki and Tyler Andrew Zawlocki; great grandchildren: Bailey Adamson, Colson Haggard, Hayden Ward, Braxton Galimore, Alainah Galimore, Bentley Hawkins, Nathan Hawkins, Emma Noojin, Rhett Monti and Easton Monti; sister, Judy Griffin, of Valdosta; numerous nieces and nephews; and special fur baby, Snowball Ethel Ward.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, at Smithboro Baptist Church. Interment was held in Smithboro Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Joe Ezzard officiated.
The family received friends from 10:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, at Smithboro Baptist Church prior to the service.
Serving as pallbearers were Lee Carter, Jamy Mitchell, Vinny Monti, Sam Ward, John Shannon Ward, Cory Hawkins and Lee Armour.
To make a gift online, friends and family can go to give.piedmont.org and select the fund “I would like to give to” from the drop down menu; select Piedmont Walton Hospital and select Staff Support Fund. Lastly, select Yes, this is a honor, memory, or appreciation of someone and complete the template.
Jordan Funeral Home, Monticello, Ga.
www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.