Funeral: 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2023, in Beechwall United Baptist Church

Visitation: W ednesday, December 13, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Jones-Preston Funeral Home

Church Visitation: Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 12:00 Noon until time of service at 1:00 p.m. at Beechwall United Baptist Church.

Burial: Johnson County Memorial Cemetery, Staffordsville, Kentucky

Fern Ward,  age 88, of Hager Hill, Kentucky passed away Saturday, December 9, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Fern was born February 18, 1935, in Johnson County, Kentucky, daughter of the late Coonie Blair and Fay Rice Blair. Oh November 10, 1952 she married Douglas Ward who preceded her in death on August 22, 2022.

She is also preceded in death by one brother and sister-in-law, Robert Guy Blair and Imogene Blair; four brother-in-laws, Alcus Ward and wife Herma Lee,  Alva Ward and wife Vernita, Richard Conley and Paul Blair.

She is survived by four daughters, Patricia Gay (Bob) Dysert of Dunkirk, Ohio, Melissa Kay (Greg) Blair of Hager Hill, Kentucky, Teressa Fay (Rick) Combs of Dola, Ohio, and Shauna Fern (Patrick) Gilliland of Marysville, Ohio; two sister-in-laws, Shelby Jean Blair of Dola, Ohio and Neva Lee Conley of Staffordsville, Kentucky; twelve grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

Fern was converted on March 10, 1957 at a revival at the Low Gap Church and joined Little Paint United Baptist Church on March 16, 1957. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Beechwall United Baptist Church, Leander, Kentucky with Travis Blair, Bob Dysert, Patrick Gilliland and Jerry Colvin officiating. Burial to follow at Johnson County Memorial Cemetery, Staffordsville, Kentucky.  Friends may visit the Jones-Preston Funeral Home Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Visitation at Beechwall United Baptist Church beginning at 12:00 Noon until time of service at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to:

Appalachian Hospice

1520 KY Rt 148 Hager Hill, Ky 41222

or

Beechwall United Baptist Church:

C/O Tim Kirk

4350 KY Rt 825 Hager Hill, KY 41222

or

Stoney Ridge United Baptist Church

c/0 Bob Dysert

330 Pine Avenue, Dunkirk, OH  45836

or by contacting Jones-Preston Funeral Home 606-789-3501.

Jones-Preston Funeral Home is both Honored and Privileged to be Entrusted with all funeral arrangements for Mrs. Fern Blair Ward.