Jerry Allen Ward, 76, passed away at his home in Big Creek, MS on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Born October 25, 1944, at Tishomingo State Park, he was the son of the late Orville Maxie Ward and the late Rebecca Hall Ward. Jerry was a 1962 graduate of Calhoun City High School, and was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church in Yalobusha County. In 1964, he married the former Lena Hood, and they have spent 57 wonderful years together. Jerry enlisted in the Calhoun City National Guard shortly after high school. Took basic training and then attended individual training in Maintenance. When at drill and summer camp, he worked hard to keep equipment operational. He was ordered to active duty in January of 2003 and retired from the military in 2004 as a Platoon Sergeant while serving at Camp Warhorse in Iraq, Dylia Province. He was a member of the American Legion for over 36 years. When he joined the Legion, he came in with a “what can I do to help you” attitude, anything from cleaning floors to washing windows, and he was always looking for something to do to help someone else. He held the office of Color Bearer, Sergeant-at-Arms, and First Vice Commander. Jerry was always one of the first in line to place flags on the Calhoun City square, and the first to show up to help cook stew on November 11. Among his many accomplishments, he received the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Bar, and Army Reserves Components Overseas Training Ribbon. Jerry loved the outdoors either hunting or fishing, gardening, woodworking, or just piddling around on his farm. His incredible love for God, his family, his country, and his community was shown through his works. We will always be grateful for his service, and his impact on this area will never be forgotten. Pryor Funeral Home has the honor of serving the Ward family. A Funeral Service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 2:00pm at Pryor Funeral Home. There will also be a visitation on Friday from 12:00pm until service time at the funeral home. Bro. Truman Scarborough and Bro. Jim Vance will be officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Big Creek. Pallbearers will be Davin Ward, Casey Ward, Chris Ward, Brad Ward, Nathan Ward, Ralph Ward, and Joe Hood. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ethan Robertson and also the members of his National Guard family of the 223rd Unit. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Lena Hood Ward; sons, Norman (Devona) Ward of Big Creek; daughters, Becky (Jeff) Simpson and Barbara (Lisa) Ward, both of Big Creek; brother, Don (Irma) Ward of Big Creek; grandchildren, Daniel (Terri) Simpson, Blake (Britian) Simpson, and Lilli Bailey; great-grandchildren, Grayson Simpson and Ellie Blake Simpson; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Robert M. Ward and Paul Wilson Ward, and twin-brother, Terry Lee Ward. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Blood Donations. Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at pryorfuneralhome.com.