Lemuel Smith Ward Sr.

Lemuel Smith Ward, Sr., 76, of Centerville, died Sunday, October 21, 2001, in Louisburg.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William W. and Janie Firth Ward; brothers, John and Cartier Ward and sister, Mary Birch.
Lemuel came to Franklin County in 1958 where he owned and operated Ward's Grocery in Centerville. He helped organize Centerville Fire & Rescue Department in 1959. He retired from the Fire Department in 1982 as Fire Chief. He served onthe Hospital Board and was presently serving on the Health Board. He had been Mayor of Centerville since 1992. He was a veteran of the US Navy.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. from the Centerville Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Surviving: wife, Mildred L. Ward; daughters, Joy W. Jones and husband, William Y. of Louisburg, Dene W. Harris and husband, Michael of Zebulon; sons, L.S. Ward, Jr., and wife, Angela of Louisburg, Leonard Ward and his wife, Lynda of Sanford; sister, Mae W. Buchanan of Gwyns Island, VA; brothers, Levern Ward of Charlottesville, VA, Oscar T.Ward of Hampton, VA, and Melvin and Percy Ward of Poquoson, VA; grandchildren, Ramey Seal, Amy Merritt, Analee, 2nd Lt. Melissa and Katelyn Harris, Smitty, Lindsey, Jonathan, Kevin, Jeffrey and Matthew Ward.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to the Centerville Fire & Rescue Department, c/o Nancy Edwards, 233 Wagon Wheel Lane, Louisburg, NC 27549.
Arrangements by Lancaster Funeral Home.