Funeral services will be Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 1:00 p.m., Westhaven Funeral Home Chapel, 3580 Robinson Street, Jackson, MS 39209 with burial Monday, August 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., Autumn Woods Cemetery, 4000 W. Northside Drive, Jackson, MS 39209.

Jessie Lee Ward, Sr. was born on June 13, 1943 in Madison, MS to Ethel Mae and Alberta Ward. He was he first born of fourteen siblings. He dedicated his life to Christ at an early age at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Flora, MS. He attended school the Madison County School district. He retired from Mathew Shelton Construction Company. He was a loving and devoted man to his family. He leaves to cherish his memories, his two sons: Jerry Barns and Jessie Lee Ward, Jr.; two daughters: Yolonda Ward and Letrice Ward, all of Jackson, MS; five brothers: Mackey Lee Wright (Martha), Marshall Wright (Dorothy) and Sylvester Wright, all of Jackson, MS; Joseph Wright of Little Rock, AK; and Nathan Forbes (Barbara) of French Creek, WV; six sisters: Georgia Carey, Ethel Mae Curtis and Hurstine Lyles (Thomas), all of Jackson, MS; Martha Williams of Pensacola, FL; Mary Kelly (Bobby) of Suffolk, VA; and Christine Donaway (Sean) of Jacksonville, FL. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family. Jessie was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Willie Ward; his parents: Ethel Mae and Mackey Lee Forbes; his father, Alberta Ward; three siblings: Rose Lee Forbes, Robert Lee Forbes and Wilbert Wright.