Jackie Lee Ward, 72, of Sandstone, WV went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

Born January 13, 1954, he was the son of the late Beechie Ward and the late Dixie and Steve Gunter.

Jackie worked in road construction for 10 plus years and helped build the interstate system.  After his time there he went on to serve his county as a Summers County Sheriff's Deputy for 28 years.  In his later years, he pastored Sandstone Missionary Baptist Church for 10 years.  While his health permitted, he was always doing what he loved: hunting, fishing and hunting arrowheads.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Truman and Annie Johnson; his paternal grandparents, Jess and Edna Ward; one brother, Michael Ward; one sister, Becky Sovine; in-laws, Harry and Deloris Thompson.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of almost 52 years, Shelma; his children, Christy Allen and husband Richard of Sandstone, Joni Fitzpatrick and husband Danny of Meadow Creek, and Heath Ward and wife Amy of Pence Springs; sisters, Doris Johnson and Kim Wooster; brother, Scott Ward and wife Kathy of New York; grandchildren, Heather Allen (Travis), Karlee Kessler and husband Gregory, Hannah Allen (Noah), Gracie Allen, Bobby Fitzpatrick, Kasey Fitzpatrick and fiancé Austin Carr, Ty Fitzpatrick, Eric Shrader and wife Toni, Emilee Ward (Danny), Jessica Ward (Shaughn), Emilie Stanley (Triston);11 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tim Sims officiating.  Burial will follow at Richmond Cemetery in Sandstone.  Members of the Summers County Sherriff's Department will escort him to his final resting place. Friends may visit from 12:00 pm until the time of services at the funeral home on Thursday.

Pallbearers will be Danny, Bobby and Ty Fitzpatrick, Gregory Kessler, Austin Carr, and Travis Wagner.  Honorary pallbearers are Chuck and Michael Richmond, Jerry Gwinn, Darrell Cooper and James O'Neal.

A special thank you to the staff at Bower's Hospice House for the wonderful care they gave to Jackie.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sandstone Missionary Baptist Church.