Rev. A. Wayne Ward
84, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at First Baptist Church for Rev. A. Wayne Ward, 84, of Columbia, who passed away on Wednesday, April 9, at his residence. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. Rev. Don Lum, Rev. Tom Thurman, Rev. Brian Stewart, Dr. Wayne Van Horn and Rev. Justin Knight officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, April 11, at Hathorn Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the services on Saturday, April 12, at First Baptist Church. He was born and raised in Wiggins. After graduating high school, he attended William Carey College, where he earned degrees in music and music education and met his wife of 64 years, Norma. Feeling called to Christian ministry, he went on to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received a master’s degree in religious education. Throughout his lifelong dedication to serving the Lord, he held numerous roles including minister of music, education and youth at Bowmar Baptist Church in Vicksburg, minister of education at First Baptist Church in Columbia and minister of education at Tylertown Baptist Church in Tylertown.
He was a passionate athlete, enjoying basketball, tennis and badminton. He represented Mississippi in the Senior Olympics, where he won more than 100 medals, mostly gold. Many of the church programs he led incorporated sports. He also introduced the game of pickleball to the State of Mississippi and was known for teaching others how to play Mexican Train Dominos. When the rules didn’t quite work in his favor, he was known to play by “Wayne” or “Granddaddy” rules to guarantee a win.
Those who knew him often have a story to tell. His unmistakable laugh and famously corny jokes were his signature. His love for people deeply influenced his ministry, but his greatest devotion was to his wife, daughters and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jana Ward Webb; parents, Virgie Bates Ward and John Robert Ward; sisters, Gloria Ward Poss and Rachel Ward West; and brother-in-law, Randle Poss.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Norma Ward of Columbia; daughter, Melanie Ward Butler; grandson, George Butler; granddaughter, Grace Butler, all of London, England; son-in-law, Brad Webb of Fort Smith, Ark.; brother-in-law, Dan West of Kosciusko; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Pallbearers were George Butler, Brad Webb, Kevin Pope, Dan West, John Miles, Ravi Suria and Paul Pounds.
Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com. Hathorn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
