J. W. Ard, age 80, died Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Mississippi Veterans Home in Oxford, MS. He was born April 22, 1936 in Marks, MS to the late John William and Ollie Faye Cox Ard.
J.W. retired from the United States Army and the Army National Guard after 32 years of service; and from the MS Dept. of Transportation after 24 years of service. He was also a self-employed electrician. J.W. was a charter member of North Batesville Baptist Church, now known as Cornerstone Church of Batesville, Lions Club, and the Disabled Veterans. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed gardening, and taking care of his grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at Cornerstone Baptist Church of Batesville. Funeral services will follow the visitation at the Church at 1:00 pm with Rev. Charles Keel officiating. Burial will be in the Batesville Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville, MS.
J.W. is survived by his wife of 59 years, Vera Coker Ard of Courtland, MS; two daughters, Linda Carol (Mark) McMinn of Pope, MS and Nancy Jean (Paul) Keel of Courtland, MS; two sons, John Ervin (Janie) of Courtland, MS and James William Ard of Pope, MS; one brother, Benny Ard of Pontotoc, MS; five sisters, Linda Williams of Enid, MS, Ollie Garner of Jackson, MS, Virginia Ridgeway of Batesville, MS, Brenda Coomer of Pontotoc, MS; eleven grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Charlie Ard; two brothers; and five sisters.