Donald Andrew Ward

Donald Andrew Ward, 77, died peacefully on September 30, 2022. Donald was born on May 16, 1945 in Pensacola, Florida, to Frank Ward and Alma Johnson Ward. Before his fourth birthday, Donald moved with his family to the home in which he lived for over 70 years until he move to the Life Care Center on Olive Road about two years ago.

Donald grew up attending Brownsville Baptist Church and as a young adult began singing praises to his Lord and Savior as a choir member. Later, he continued being an active Sunday school, church, and choir member at New Beginnings Baptist Church. Church obviously was his favorite place to be, because he was so happy and content to be there, feeling the love of God and being greeted by so many of the church’s members.

Donald graduated from Adult High School at the Pensacola Junior College. He worked in Civil Service at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, for many years. He has also worked in food services at Morrison’s Cafeteria, the Baptist Hospital, and Azalea Trace. Later, he was employed by Gulf Coast Enterprises to work as a contracted employee in the Enlisted Cafeteria at Corry Field Naval Air Station location and then at the Pensacola Naval Air Station location. He retired at the age of 71 years.

Donald is predeceased by his parents, his brother Edsel F. Ward, his sister-in-law Pat Boyette Ward, and his nephew Kevin Ward. He is survived by his nephew Kerry Ward, Kerry’s wife and two children of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by his cousin Robert Gavin Hollis who has lived with and helped him for over 20 years after Donald’s mother died in the year 2000, his cousin Fransue (Sue) Baldwin McShane who has also helped him with transportation and with his finances when his brother could no longer do so, and many other cousins.

Donald has had many wonderful friends during his lifetime, mostly who were associated with his church. A special thank you to Lon Roberts, Ricky and Susan Hendrix, and Daniel Cronce, and others who have helped Donald with transportation and other needs that he may have had. Also, a special thank you to the staff at Life Care Center on Olive Road who did an excellent job in meeting his needs on a daily basis while he was a resident there, to Covent Hospice, who was there for him when called, both at his home and for the last five days of his life here on earth, and to Pastor John Pavlus and Bayview-Fisher Pou for helping with his final arrangements.

Visitation will take place at 10:00am followed by a funeral service at 11:00am on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at New Beginnings Baptist Church, 808 N. New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506. Donald’s ashes will be buried near his parents’ grave at Bayview Cemetery on Scenic Highway in Pensacola, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to New Beginnings Baptist Church or to a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BayviewFisher-PouChapel.com for the Ward family.