June Carolyn Mathis Ward, age 79, departed this Earth surrounded by family on April 26, 2020, at UMMC in Jackson, MS.
Carolyn was born on June 24, 1940, in Danville, Tennessee, and was the daughter of the late Richard E. Mathis and Essie Mae Bradley Mathis. She grew up in a large family and was one of six siblings.
Carolyn was a dedicated dispatcher at the Grenada County Sheriff’s Department, and a hardworking manager for Ray’s Quick Stop. She was also employed at Wal-Mart in the Receiving Department. She loved her job at Wal-Mart and made life-long friends with her co-workers. She made many memories while working at Wal-Mart, but none as memorable as being able to take her grandchildren to work with her once a year. This was one of her favorite days to go to work.
Family was very important to her, and there was not a family event that she didn’t attend. Any opportunity to spend time with her family, she took and enjoyed herself. She was a big supporter of all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Spending time with them is what brought a smile to her face.
She was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada, MS. She loved to go to church and hear the word of God. Her favorite part was when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren sang in church. This brought so much joy to her life.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers lost at a very young age, and three sisters, Clara Rhinehart, Dorothy Workman, and Roberta Moss. She is also preceded in death by one son, Mst. Sgt. Glen Alan Ward and his wife Linda Tribble Ward.
She is survived by three daughters, Pam Melton (Johnny), Gale Holliday (Ernie), Kelly McNamee (Paul); two sons, Joey Ward (Candy) and Richard Ward. She was also survived by 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and a host of other relatives and friends.
A private family graveside visitation will be at 1:00 p.m., with services following at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Bethel Cemetery at Oxberry near Holcomb, MS.
Pallbearers are her eight grandsons; Shane Melton, Michael Melton, Ernie Holliday III, Brad Holliday, Brian Holliday, Wesley Melton, Joey Ward III, and Justin Ward. Honorary Pallbearers are Jeff Pickle and Chris Hathcock.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church on 245 Meadowbrook Road, Grenada, MS, 38901, or to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX, 75284-0692.
Mortimer National Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.