Mr. George Thomas “Tom” Ward departed this life for eternal rest on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at Hospice of Carolina Foothills in Forest City, NC. He was born on May 4, 1947 in Cleveland County, NC to the late Frank Adams Ward and the late Helen Wray Ward.

George attended Douglas High School. After high school, he was drafted into the Army and was a proud veteran having served four years in Vietnam. After his military service, George worked at Fiber Industries for a time. He later attended and graduated from Cleveland Community College.

George was a loving, caring person who had a great love for his late wife and cared for her for fourteen years before he became ill. George loved the Lord and he would read his bible daily and pray for his wife’s healing.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Stella Ward, George was also preceded in death by his sisters, Lucille Williamson (Charles), Rosa Padgett (James) Cleo Hamright (Rev. Hamright), Ruth Mae Ward and Ann Griffin; two brothers, Eddie Ward and Willie Frank Ward (Willie Ree); sister-in-law, Jacqueline Ward and brother-in-law, Maurice Addison.

George is survived by two children, Christy McCorkle and Jason Perkins both of Hickory, NC; sisters, Shirley Fuller (James) of Shelby, NC and Jacquelyn Guest (Ben) of Charlotte, NC; brothers, James Ward of Cary, NC and Johnny Ward (Daisy) of Kingstown, NC; a sister-in-law, Retha Ward of Greensboro, NC; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Lawndale. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until 1:00 PM at the church and at other times at 215 Ross Grove Road. Burial will take place at the church cemetery.