Ralph Paul Ward

Ralph Paul Ward, 73, of Poplar Bluff gently passed away with his family by his side on March 1, 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He joined his beloved mother just 15 days after she went home to be with the Lord. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., Sunday March 4, 2012, at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff. Funeral service will be 1p.m. Monday, March 5, 2012, with the Dr. Steve Proctor and Rex Darnell officiating. Burial in the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery. Mr. Ward was born February 22, 1939 in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to the late Roy Ward and Valrie (Robertson) Ward. He was a lifetime Butler County resident and of the Baptist Faith. He loved being with his family and was deeply devoted to his wife of 50 years and his three children. He was a carpenter in home construction and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son Steven. On February 10, 1962 he married Vada "Richards" Ward in Poplar Bluff. She survives. Also surviving are daughter, Tammy Long and husband, Gary of Qulin; son, Steven Ward and wife, Teresa of Broseley; and daughter, Roxanne Chang and husband, Chris of Poplar Bluff; a brother, Arthur Leroy Ward of Poplar Bluff; four grandchildren; Christina Haynes, Crystal Haynes, Ciera Chang and Brendan Chang; four great-grandchildren, Katelynn, Makenzie, Chase, and Avery. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Ward on June 27, 1991; his mother, Valrie Ward on February 16, 2012; and his sister, Joyce Marie Ward. The family joins Ralph in expressing thanks and gratitude to all that supported him through his illness. Special thanks to Rex Darnell, Tammy and Gary Long, Richard Kimble( his nurse), Dr. Steve Proctor, David Myers and many family and friends who kept him in prayer.