About Us

Sammie L. Ward saw need for funeral service in Terrell County, Georgia and in 1968 his dream of opening a funeral home became a reality. S.L. (as he is called by everyone), along with his wife Louvenia Ward opened Ward Funeral Home in Dawson, Georgia. His motto was family serving families which prove true when his daughter, Sherry Ann Ward-Shanks and sons, James Ward and Forest Ward joined the funeral home staff after receiving their funeral director license. Louvenia Ward passed February 23, 1997, but S.L. and their children continue to provide services for Terrell and surrounding counties until the passing of Sherry Ann Ward-Shanks in 2012 and James Ward had to retire from funeral services due to health issues. April 1, 2017, S.L. passed the torch of ownership to his granddaughter, Petronia A. Shanks (Sherry Ann’s Daughter). S.L. Ward departed this life on September 12, 2017. Petronia also known as Lady Ward by family and friends is the third generation of Wards in funeral service continue providing services of excellence to the families they serve.