Volley Ward

Volley Berl (Dean) Ward ,91, died on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Lexington Place in Jonesboro. He was born on Hardesty Ridge in Armorel to William and Mattie (Hardesty) Ward on November 3, 1924. He married the love of his life, Imogene Johnson, on November 3, 1951. She preceded him to Heaven in 2009. They were married 58 years. Dean joined the Navy at age 18 to be able to send money back home to take care of his mother and siblings. He was very proud of his service on the U.S.S. Cascade from 1943-1945. He often told stories of his time in the service. He and his family lived in Armorel where he farmed for more than 50 years. He was still driving a cotton picker at the age of 80. Dean loved to fish and enjoyed watching the western channel and watching the St. Louis Cardinals. He loved his family very much and loved spending time with his family, especially grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandson, Brantley. Brantley would always smile when papa walked into the room and talked to him. Dean lived with and was cared for by his granddaughter, Jena Mann and her husband Greg and their children for the last six years before having to enter a nursing facility late last year. He would visit his daughter Judy and Kenney for a moth then be ready to come back home to the grand babies. Dean was a very special person who touched many lives and was deeply loved by his family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife he was also preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Carl and Mary Johnson; son, Michael "Bubba" Ward; brothers, Leo, Louis, and Bill Ward; sisters, Ethel Arnold and Agnes Moore; brothers-in-law, Carl "Buddy" Johnson and Norma Mann; sisters-in-law, Anna Hall and Betty, Pauline, and Mildred Ward.

Dean leaves his daughters, Judy King and husband Kenney of Salem, Illinois and Shirley Beller and husband Paul of Deland, Florida;

Two granddaughters, Jena Mann and husband Greg of Gosnell and Anna Marie Nordman of Deland, Florida;

Three grandsons, J.R. Johnson and fiancé Alana Brackin of Gosnell, Justin Ward and fiancé Mary Beth Mealer of Tennessee, and Joey Ward of Indiana;

Two step-granddaughters, Chandra Eckelberry (Justin) and Charla Proctor (Damien) of Illinois;

Five great-granddaughters, Beth Emmert (Tyler Doss), Hannah Mann, Alexa and Brooklyn Johnson, all of Gosnell, and Haley Nordman of Deland, Florida;

Five great-grandsons, Zachary and Cody Mann of Gosnell, Jackson Johnson of Illinois, and Chad and Christopher Nordman of Deland, Florida;

One great-great grandson, Brantley Doss of Gosnell, who he lovingly called "Little Volley";

Two step-granddaughters, Chayli Eckelberry and Alaiya Proctor of Illinois.

He is also survived by his brothers, Daris Ward and wife Mary of Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Johnny Ward of Eddyville, Kentucky;

One sister, Helen Mann of Poplar Bluff, Missouri;

One brother-in-law, Harold Moore of Dexter, Missouri;

One sister-in-law, Virginia Johnson of Gosnel; and

many nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends.

Funeral services were Tuesday, June 7th at 11:00 a.m. in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Danny Smith officiating. Burial was in Dogwood Cemetery. The family received friends from 10:00 until service time at Cobb Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.