J.L. Ward, Jr

J. L. Ward, Jr.

Metter, Georgia

J.L. Ward, Jr. (affectionately known as “J” by his immediate family) departed us after a long illness and went to his heavenly home on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the age of 84.

J.L. was born and raised in the Olifftown area of Metter, GA, to John Lee Ward Sr. and Evelyn Donaldson Ward where he was surrounded on the family farm by four sisters and a brother. Always a man of few words but a great sense of humor, he spent his early days with pecans, cotton and cows filling up much of his day. Any spare time was spent planning practical jokes and laughing with his siblings with the smell of his “Mommer’s” chicken and dumplings in the background.

While attending Metter High School at the age of 15, he proceeded to impress an older 16 year old cheerleader, Martha Lugenia Lanier, from the Union Community with his football and track abilities. Also, stories have been told with smiles regarding Bop’s notice of his suntanned legs. Those same two kids from different sides of the 15 Mile Creek later went on to surprise everyone by saying their “I Dos” while eloping to SC. After several moves, they went on to build a home based on love, commitment, and hard work. Several years into their marriage, they became proud parents of their two children, COL(Ret) Lanier Ward (Teri) of Statesboro, GA and Dr. Kathi Mentzer of Metter, GA.

Lanier and Kathi grew up knowing their Daddy was a man of action and was easily the hardest working man they would ever know. They watched as he left early each morning during thirty years with the Post Office while simultaneously building a pecan farm after acquiring the land and building a home in 1972.

They also knew their Dad was an incredible athlete who was successful at any sport he attempted while revolutionizing the wear of blue jean shorts and knee high blue socks while playing in the church softball league. They got to watch as he set the example and cared for the elderly next door neighbor, would assist his neighbors with any need of the day and most importantly as he was baptized and became a member of the Metter Primitive Baptist Church.

However, he was always happiest when visited by his four grandchildren Savannah Mentzer of Nashville, TN, Allie Ward of Alexandria, VA, Nickolas Mentzer of Lake St. Louis MO, and Maddie Mentzer of Athens, GA. All of them are blessed with incredible memories including Grandparent Summer Camps, innumerable Sequence games, “J’s” reaction when they flipped the golf cart, and giving their grandparents their forever nicknames of “Bop” and “J.”

In addition to his wife, kids and grandkids, J.L. will be missed by his surviving brother, James Edward Ward (Gail) of Metter and sister Pam Miller (Bobby) of North Augusta, SC; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Awaiting him in heaven in addition to his parents are his sisters, Isabel Ward Sego (Carl), Sarah Lee Mills (Robert), and Mary Ellen Gay. As a certified dog whisperer, he was surely also greeted by a multitude of his four legged friends.

The funeral service will be held 2 o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Metter Primitive Baptist Church, Metter GA. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until the initiation of the service.

Interment will be in the Rosemary Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Metter Primitive Baptist Church or the Ogeechee Area Hospice organization.

Anderson-Newman Funeral Homes, Kennedy-Hooks Chapel, of Metter, is in charge of the arrangements.