Ed Louis Word

Ed Louis Word, of Cumming, Georgia passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on October 12, 2023.

Ed is survived by his wife, Naomi Faye Word and three children, daughter Lynn Hyatt, son Alan Word and daughter Jan Whalen and husband Chris Whalen.  Grandson Matthew Word and wife Megan Word, granddaughter Brittany Hinson and husband Todd Hinson, granddaughter Lindsey Aristizabal and husband Kenny Aristizabal, grandson Phillip Hyatt, and six great grandchildren, Hailey Word, Matthew Word, Jr., Brooke Word, Bryson Hinson, Logan Hinson and Eva Aristizabal.  Ed is also survived by his two brothers Raney Word and Excell Word and sister Elsie Brown and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Ed was a native Mississippian where he spent the first 32 years of his life.  He graduated from Mississippi State University and later received his Master’s degree from the University of Georgia.  Ed spent his adult life in public education in Mississippi and Georgia.  He was a teacher at Gulfport, Mississippi in his early years and then worked for the Mississippi State Department of Education in Jackson, Mississippi.  He moved to Georgia in 1965 where he worked for the Georgia Department of Education as State Director of Vocational Technical Instruction.  During his tenure he provided leadership to local school systems in the development of over two hundred and fifty comprehensive high schools.  He retired from the Georgia State Department of Education in 1990 and operated a private vocational consulting company providing high schools with a wide range of resource programs in developing Tech Prep and Youth apprenticeship programs.  During his working years he was a member of the American Vocational Association and the Georgia Vocational Association.  In 1999 he had the honor of being placed in the Georgia Vocational Education Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of vocational technical education in Georgia.  After retiring he organized the Georgia Retired Educators and served as president for 28 years.  He was fond of the group and referred to them as his extended family.

Ed was an active church member during his entire life.  He was a Sunday school teacher and Deacon in First Baptist Church of Gulfport, Mississippi, a teacher and Deacon in the Van Winkle Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi and a teacher and Deacon in the First Baptist Church of Avondale Estates, Georgia.  In recent years he has been active at Johns Creek Baptist Church in Johns Creek, Georgia. 

Ed and Naomi were married 67 years.  He devoted his life to his faith, family and friends and loved telling stories and jokes.  He was an avid reader, poet, writer and always learning and teaching those around him.  He loved fishing, golfing and dancing.  As many of us know breakfast was his favorite meal that he enjoyed with his friends and family for many years.  He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend. He had a special way of connecting with anyone that he met.  We are all blessed for having him in our lives and will miss him greatly.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11am on Monday, October 16, 2023 at Johns Creek Baptist Church with interment following at Memorial Park South Cemetery in Flowery Branch.  The family will receive friends beginning at 10am until the funeral time.  The Haywood Community Sunday School class will be seated together in his honor. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Johns Creek Baptist Church Mission Fund, 6910 McGinnis Ferry Road, Johns Creek, Georgia 30005 in memory of Ed L Word.   

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 is in charge of arrangements.  Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.