Donald Ray “D-Ray” Ward, 62, of Beaumont, Texas, and a native of Jena, was called home on Wednesday, August 28, 2013. He was born Feb. 5, 1951 in Jena to his parents, Howard and Ella Ward. He is the oldest of five children, two boys, Donald and Ernest, and three girls, Katherine, Billie Jean and Briggie. Donald went to Good Pine High School where he met Early Jean Jones at the young age of 15. Donald graduated from Good Pine High School in 1969 and attended Grambling University. He married the love of his life, Early Jean Jones, on Feb. 27, 1972. Later that year they began a family with their first born, Roshonda born in 1972, followed by Roshoderick in 1977. Donald and Early moved their family to Beaumont that same year. In 1981, their youngest son, ReKeydris, was born, and in 1985, their baby girl, Renekia, was born. Donald was very hardworking and held various jobs; however, it’s his hard work, dedication and longevity with the Baptist Memorial Hospital for over 25 years that most will remember him by. During his retirement years, he enjoyed his time with his beautiful wife of 41 years and his family. Services were held on Saturday, September 14, 2013, in the chapel of Calvary Mortuary in Beaumont, with Rev. Joe Antoine officiating. Interment followed in the St. Anthony Cemetery in Beaumont under direction of Calvary Mortuary of Beaumont. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ella Ward; aunt, Emma Bean, and his sister, Katherine Louis. Survivors include his father, Howard Ward of Jena; wife, Early Ward; four children, Roshonda Morale and husband Chris, Roshoderick Ward, ReKeydris Ward, and Renekia Ward, all of Beaumont; sisters, Billie Jean Miller and husband Clarence of Hamburg, AR, and Briggie Savoir and husband Gary of Albany, NY; brother, Ernest Ward of Wallisville, TX; two granddaughters, Chelsea Morale and Zariah Thompson; one great granddaughter, Saniyah Morale, all of Beaumont; an honorary son, Edgar Thompson; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nephews, cousins and friends. Pallbearers were Terrance Perkins, Chris Landry, Rodney McCoy, Eric Demacuet, Kashun Landry, and James Busby. Honorary pallbearers were Howard Ward, Henry James Bell, Torie Gaitlin, Bolagee Ward, Dray Miller, Quincy Harper, Ernest Ward, Roshoderick Ward, ReKeydris Ward, Christopher Morale, and Edgar Thompson.
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