Sara Ford Ward, age 92, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Oktibbeha County Hospital in Starkville, Mississippi. Visitation will be Sunday, September 9, 2018, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Nowell Massey Funeral Home in Louisville. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 10, 2018, in the Nowell Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Childs and Rev. Newlie Long officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Sara was born May 16, 1926, in Hinds County to H. D. and Gertrude Bedwell Ford. She was a 75-year member of First Baptist Church of Louisville where she was involved in various activities including WMU and serving as a Sunday school teacher.
For 27 years, Sara worked for the Lewis Grocery Company serving as manager of the local Sunflower store until it was sold. After retiring from Lewis Grocery, she became a tour guide with First America and was able to visit every state except Alaska. Sara served in many offices, including president, during her 62-year membership in the Pilot Club of Louisville. Her stories of past International Conventions always entertained members of the Pilot Club.
An avid quilter, she was a member of the Louisville Quilting Guild. Sara lovingly, carefully, and patiently made many beautiful quilts over the years. She loved planting, watering, and caring for her flowers in her backyard.
Sara is survived by her son Troy Ward and wife, Wanda, of Louisville. One of her greatest joys was being “Sa Mom” to her two grandchildren: Haley Ward and wife, Daphne, also of Louisville; and Leslie Hill and husband, Ricky, of Purvis, Mississippi. She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Connor Hill (Karly); Cole Hill; Laura Katherine Ward; and Jason Hill (Tiffany); as well as four great-great-grandchildren: Weston Hill; Vivi Rose Hill; JMac Hill; and Emery Hill.
Sara is survived by her niece, Nancy Sherrard; as well as many other nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Ward; her parents; her brother, H. D. Ford, Jr.; and three sisters, Gladys Deakle; LaNelle Sherrard; and Libby Peden.
Serving as pallbearers are Haley Ward, Ricky Hill, Connor Hill, Cole Hill, Jason Hill, Rooster Ball, and Barry McWhirter. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Pilot Club of Louisville. Memorials in honor of Sara may be given to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 547, Louisville, MS 39339.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.