Harry Purvis Ward

Harry Purvis Ward died at his home in Gainesville on December 7^th, 2015.  He was surrounded by family at his death, as was his final wish.

Celebration of Life will be 3:00 p.m., Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel.  Rev. Wendy Cordova will officiate.  The family will receive friends 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., Thursday, December 10 2015 at the funeral home.

A native son of Gainesville, Harry was born on December 23^rd, 1946; he was 68 years old.  He was a graduate of the University of Georgia and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.  During his early years in the area, Harry was a banker and entrepreneur and also worked alongside his mother and father, Jean Purvis Ward and former Mayor and County Commissioner Henry Otis Ward, in the operation of Ward’s Funeral Home.  He was a chief supporter throughout his father’s prominent political and civic career in serving the Gainesville and Hall County area.  Following an absence during a residence in Nashville, Tennessee and at Lake Harding, Georgia, he had returned to Gainesville in 2013 to be near his business enterprise, and his family, once again.

Harry leaves behind his wife, Jill Davis Pohl Ward of Columbus, Georgia, his mother, Jean Purvis Ward of Gainesville, and children Mollie Elizabeth Ward and Daniel Henry Ward, both of Nashville, and Amelia Pohl Chandler and husband David Charles Chandler of Athens.  He is survived by brothers Henry Otis Ward, Jr. and wife Linda, and William Tharpe Ward and wife Judy.  He is preceded in death by his father, Henry Otis Ward, and sister, Susan Ward Jordan.  Harry’s grandchildren, Kingston Ward, Saylor Ward, and Emma Chelette, reside in Nashville.  He is also survived by nephews and nieces John Tharpe Ward, Andrew Carlisle Ward and wife Shari, Graham Tharpe Ward, James Henry Lovell and wife Riley, Sarah Simmons Dearing and husband Barry, Bambi Ward Riley and husband Chris, and Angela Lea Holland.  Great-nephews and nieces include Kelsey Hamilton, Shelby and Alexis Turner, Haley and Henry Ward, and Jake and Austin Riley.  His death was a great loss to all, and he will be missed by family and friends far and wide for many years to come.      

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Eagle Ranch, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, GA  30502, www.eagleranch.org or Good News at Noon, 979 Davis St, Gainesville, GA 30501,  (770) 503-1366.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, Georgia  30501, 770-297-6200 is in charge of arrangements.  Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.