Minister Larry Junior "Bubba" Ward

"Safe in His Arms"

" I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith," (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

In a posture of prayer, on Tuesday morning, December 23, 2025, God called home our brother, Minister Larry Junior Ward. Larry was born in Norfolk, VA on August 23, 1951, the second child and oldest son of Hattie Morris and Joe Randolph Ward in Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, VA.

Raised by parents who loved the Lord and instilled in their children the Scripture, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," Larry, (affectionately nicknamed "Bubba" by his older sister saying baby Bubba), accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized in the river at an early age by Bishop D.L. Williams of C.H. Mason Memorial Church of God in Christ in Norfolk.

Larry attended the Norfolk public school system and earned his G.E.D. before attending Norfolk Business College where he studied Accounting. After working for several years at the Gwaltney Smithfield company in Suffolk, VA, Larry started his own landscaping business and later became a regular vendor at the Norfolk Flea Market where he met and worked with the love of his life and partner Eleanor (Miss Penny) Epps for more than twelve years. They loved working together and made many friends there. An ordained minister of the gospel by his pastor, the Rev. Mary V. Jones, of Holy Temple Church of Deliverance in Norfolk, Larry shared the goodness of God through the Word and music, selling gospel CDs and singing for patrons.

Larry loved to sing and had a beautiful voice, specializing in country western gospel, a favorite of his parents. Since his childhood he had suffered from epileptic seizures. Especially in his later years, Larry battled extreme high blood pressure, with frequent trips to the hospital, especially these past 3 years. Though doctors were astonished that he'd had more than nine lives, Larry knew well who was keeping him. Nobody could dispute that he knew how to get a prayer through to the Lord, especially in times of trouble. He was always quick to give God glory through all trials and tribulations. Larry was a loving, caring, kind-spirited, and humble servant, father, brother, uncle, partner and friend. He was always there for anyone in need. And now, he receives his reward of rest, safe in God's arms.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Hattie and Joe R. Ward; his nephew, Shelvin Ward, (Steven's son); and his sister-in-Law, Michelle Ward (Chester). He leaves to mourn his passing his son, Leonard Jerrell Shelton Ward (Avis); his bonus son, Ahmaad Balmer; five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, all of Beaufort, North Carolina; his loving partner, Miss Penny (Eleanor Epps); his only sister, Jo Ann Obie (Barry), of Haymarket, VA; his 5 brothers, Randy Ward, Chester Lee Ward, Kelvin Eugene Ward (Bonita), Steven Ward, and Joseph Anthony Ward (Constance), all of Norfolk, VA; his god sister, Winnie

Chambliss (Ronald) of Salinas, CA; nephews, Arthur "Spike" Champion (Tracey), of Beaumont, CA, Roderick Ward (Tanaye) of Banning, CA, Genesis Ward, of Norfolk, VA, Dominique Pledger, of Los Angeles, CA, Kelvin Jenkins, of Norfolk, VA, and Kelron Ward, of Norfolk, VA; Nieces, Candice Ward Hood (Dante) of Norfolk, VA, Ashley McGlawn (Brian), of Manassas Park, VA, Brooke Cheri Obie, of Los Angeles, CA, Krystal Ward of Norfolk, VA, and a host of other relatives and friends.