James Ward

Funeral services for James Melvin Ward (66) of Baldwin, Florida will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, 2014 in the chapel of Prestwood Funeral Home with pastor Dewayne Jowers of Grace Baptist Church officiating. The interment will immediately follow in Brandy Branch Cemetery, Bryceville, Florida. Melvin was born on February 13, 1948 in Tampa, Florida, son of the late James Ray Ward and the former Eva Mae Henderson. He passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2014 in Baldwin, Florida following a brief illness. Melvin was a carpenter by trade and a member of the Carpenters Local 627. His survivors include: wife of 47 years, Linda Ward; six daughters, Christy (Steve) Stafford, Carmel (Hugh) Perera, Goat (Bobby) Granville, Cara Ward-Monahan, Caressa (Travis) Jarrell and Caydee Ward; son, Steven Ward; fourteen grandchildren, Destiny, Tyler, Taylor, Jeffrey, Haley, Morgan, Jordan, Logan, Kassidy, Kirsty, Caleb, Blair, Chloe and Tynlee; great-granddaughter, Jaelyn; brother, Bruce (Gwen) Ward; numerous extended family and friends. Those serving as pallbearers include: Bobby Granville, Steve Stafford, Hugh Perera, Travis Jarrell, Wade Harris, Jess Croft and Steven Ward. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Monday, May 5, 2014 at the funeral home.