Mr. Johnny Franklin Ward, age 86, of West Green, Georgia, passed away Sunday afternoon, October 26, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a recent decline in health.
Mr. Ward, a lifelong resident of Coffee County, was born July 7, 1939 in Douglas, Georgia to the late Quillian Hall Ward, Sr. and the late Lourine McConnell Ward. He was educated in the Coffee County School System and a 1958 graduate of Coffee County High School. He made his career with Westfield Mobile Home Industry where he became a supervisor before his retirement. Mr. Ward was a loving Daddy, and Pappy. He was an avid Georgia Bulldog fan, and enjoyed fishing and squirrel hunting. He enjoyed going to church and loved his church families. He was a member of Mora Baptist Church and he attended West Green Baptist Church following his move to West Green.
Mr. Ward is survived by his 2 daughters: Frankie Ward Hollis and husband Roy of West Green, Georgia, Shirley Ward Martin of Broxton, Georgia; a stepson, Mike Merchant and wife Stacy of Fitzgerald, Georgia; 4 grandchildren: Katie and husband Andrew, Zack, Rand and wife Traci, Carissa; 4 great grandchildren: Broty, Harper, Tristen, Ava; along with a number of nieces nephews and extended family members.
Along with his parents, Mr. Ward was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Marilyn Blount Ward; his second wife, Betty Jean McClendon Ward; a son-in-love, Shawn Randall Martin; a special great niece, Carmen Hollis Smith; and 2 brothers: Quillian Hall Ward, Jr., and Eugene Talmadge Ward.
Mr. Ward’s family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, October 29, 2025 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Ricketson Funeral Home. A funeral service honoring Mr. Ward will be held on Thursday afternoon, October 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM at West Green Baptist Church with Rev. Casey Wright officiating. Interment will follow in the Lone Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will include: Chad Hollis, Dustin Railey, Ben O’Steen, Lee Steverson, Brian Lott, and Tracy Lott.
Honorary pallbearers will include his Mora Baptist Church family members.
Condolences, kind words and fond memories may be shared with Mr. Ward’s family at www.ricketsonfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Ward’s arrangements have been entrusted to the kind and compassionate staff of Ricketson Funeral Home, Inc. of Douglas, Georgia.