Samuel Ward

Samuel “Sam” Ward, 82, of Hickory, North Carolina, died Sunday, June 30, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Sam was born on August 7, 1936 in Hickory to Millard and Effie Lee Ward. Following his graduation from high school, Sam worked in the family’s butchering business.  Later, he became an exceptionally skilled craftsman, installing carpet and designing and creating by hand large area rugs. He worked side by side with Carolyn, his wife of 44 years.  All who knew Sam, knew he was a hard worker.

Sam married Carolyn Turner in 1959, and the two raised four children and were devoted to one another until Carolyn’s death in 2004. Their children rejoice knowing that their parents are now reunited in heaven.

In the years following his retirement, Sam enjoyed tending to his muscadine grapes, mowing grass, tinkering with various power tools in his outbuilding, and spending time with his brother Robbie in various hobbies the two would discover along the way, including beekeeping and winemaking.  Sam enjoyed his almost daily “golf cart gatherings” with Robbie and his nephew Robert, who he affectionately referred to as “Bubby.”

Sam is predeceased by his parents, his brother, Don Ward, his sister, Jeannie Baker, and his wife, Carolyn.  He is survived by his best bud and brother, Robert “Robbie” Ward of Hickory, and his lifelong friend and brother-in-law, Bobby Baker also of Hickory.  Sam would tell you his greatest pride, joy, accomplishment and legacy of this world was his family. He leaves behind four children, Dale Ward and his wife, Lori Ward of Claremont; Sandy Costner and her husband, Chris Costner of Hickory; Mary Morrison and her husband, Darrell Morrison of Hickory; and Linda Ward and her husband, Luigi Moscatello of Cary. Sam was also blessed to have seven grandchildren, Allen Ward of Hickory; Megan Johnson of Lincolnton: Lauren LeFevers of Charlotte; Matthew Morrison of Harrisburg; Katie Morrison of Hickory; and Carolena and Enzo Moscatello of Cary.  He also leaves behind five great grandchildren, Asher Ward, Maddie, Rylan, and Nate Johnson, and his namesake, Ivan Samuel Morrison. Sam is also survived by a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services celebrating Sam’s life will be held at Christ Church, 2416 Zion Church Road, Hickory, on Wednesday July 3, 2019 at 11:00 am.  Visitation with the family will take place an hour prior to the service.  Following the funeral, Sam will be interned beside his wife at Catawba Valley Memorial Park in Hickory.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the physicians, nurses, and staff with the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit, who provided compassionate care and support for Sam and his family during his final days.  In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring the life of Sam may be made to Christ Church or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Ward family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Samuel Ward, please visit our floral store.