Funeral services for Rev. A. Wayne Ward, 84, of Columbia, who passed away at his residence on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Columbia. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Officiating the service will be Rev. Don Lum, Rev. Tom Thurman, Rev. Brian Stewart, Dr. Wayne Van Horn and Rev. Justin Knight.

Wayne was born and raised in Wiggins, MS.  After graduating high school, he attended William Carey College, where he earned degrees in Music and Music Education and met his wife of 64 years, Norma. Feeling called to Christian ministry, he went on to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received a master's degree in Religious Education. Throughout his lifelong dedication to serving the Lord, Wayne held numerous roles including Minister of Music, Education, and Youth at Bowmar Baptist Church in Vicksburg, MS; Minister of Education at First Baptist Church in Columbia, MS; and Minister of Education at Tylertown Baptist Church in Tylertown, MS.

He was a passionate athlete, enjoying basketball, tennis, and badminton, and represented Mississippi in the Senior Olympics, where he won over 100 medals—mostly gold. Many of the church programs he led incorporated sports. Wayne also introduced the game of Pickleball to the State of Mississippi and was known for teaching others how to play Mexican Train Dominos. When the rules didn't quite work in his favor, he was known to play by "Wayne" or "Granddaddy" rules to guarantee a win.

Those who knew Wayne often have a story to tell. His unmistakable laugh and famously corny jokes were his signature. His love for people deeply influenced his ministry, but his greatest devotion was to his wife, daughters, and grandchildren.

Wayne was preceded in death by his daughter, Jana Ward Webb; his parents, Virgie Bates Ward and John Robert Ward; sisters, Gloria Ward Poss and Rachel Ward West; and his brother-in-law, Randle Poss.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Norma Ward of Columbia; daughter, Melanie Ward Butler; grandson, George Butler; granddaughter, Grace Butler, all of London, England; son-in-law, Brad Webb of Fort Smith, AR; his brother-in-law, Dan West of Kosciusko, MS and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Pallbearers will be George Butler, Brad Webb, Kevin Pope, Dan West, John Miles, Ravi Suria and Paul Pounds.

The Ward family will receive friends during visitation on Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia, and again on Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the service begins at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Columbia.

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.