Dr. Dennis Earl Ward Sr.

He was born on April 8, 1927 near Beech Bluff in Madison County, TN, to Dewey and Clara Brasher Ward. He attended Beech Bluff schools, graduating in 1945 as Valedictorian. He then joined the U.S. Army and served in the European theatre right after WWII. After completing military service, Dr. Ward attended U.T. Martin and then the University of Memphis Medical School in Memphis, graduating in 1952.

While attending medical school, he met his future wife, Mary Ruth Johnson, who was also a medical student. They were married on June 19, 1950. Eventually, they moved their young family to Corinth, MS in 1961 where they would practice medicine for almost 40 years. After retirement, they moved to Jackson, TN to be near family. Dr. Ward was an Episcopalian and attended St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

Dr. Ward was a gardening enthusiast and an avid genealogist. As a result of his family research, he was able to join many genealogical societies including the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Magna Carta Dames and Barons organization, and the Sons of the American Revolution.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Edmund Haynes Ward; a grandson, Edmund Gregory Ward; and his sister, Emma Ward Page.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Mary Johnson Ward; his sons, Dennis Earl Ward, Jr. and Thomas Roy Ward; nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 7, 2021 at 3 p.m. at Rocky Springs Cemetery in Madison County, TN. Fr. Jeffrey Samuel of St. Luke's Episcopal Church will officiate the service. His grandchildren, Jesse Ward, David Ward, Ricky Ward, Bryan Ward, Stephen Ward, William Ward, Emily Knight, Clara Taylor, and Mary Ward will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to Rocky Springs Cemetery Association (c/o Dennis Robinson, 55 Stanford Dr., Jackson, TN 38301) or St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 309 E. Baltimore St., Jackson, TN 38301