Obituary of Jake B. Ward

Jake Burl Ward, 66, of Coy Harris Rd., Elk Park, passed away Monday, April 22, 2013, at his home. Born November 19, 1946 in Watauga County, he was a son of Ivan Burl and Edith Tester Ward. Mr. Ward was a member of Blue Ridge Community Church. He retired from Ward Construction and Masonry Company. Jake was proud of his rock work but the love of his life was his family. He was especially proud of all his grandchildren. Mr. Ward is survived by his wife, Betty Sue Harmon Ward; two sons, Mack Burl Ward and wife, Laura Beth, and William Ward and wife, Stephanie, and two daughters, Betty Mae Ellison and husband, Johnny, and Rita Canter and husband, Richard, all of Boone; seven grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; brother, Jimmy Dean Ward and wife, Pam, of Boone, five sisters, Kathy Oaks and husband Dennis, and Jeannie Stines and husband, Wade, all of Banner Elk, and Dorothy Ward and husband, Kenneth, Brenda Cornett and husband, Dale, and Rita Ward, all of Boone. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Mack and Bobby Ward. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 12 PM, at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Michael Minton. The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 10:30 until 12 o'clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Burial will follow in the Townsend Cemetery in Banner Elk. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Ward family.