Emanuel P. Ward Jr. of Southampton died on January 9 at the Riverhead Care Center. He was 90.
Mr. Ward, the son of Cora Davis Ward and Emanuel P. Ward Sr., was born on January 14, 1925, in Currituck County, North Carolina. He attended the public schools of Currituck County and, at an early age, was baptized and became a member of the Good Hope A.M.E. Zion Church in North Carolina.
He joined the U.S. Navy on May 24, 1944, and obtained an honorable discharge on December 10, 1947.
After moving to Southampton, Mr. Ward became a member of the Community Baptist Church of Southampton, under the leadership of the late Reverend John B. Mason. In 1974, he became a deacon. He continued his diligent service in the ministries of the late Reverend Raymond Lee and Community Baptist’s current pastor, Reverend Dr. Donald E. Butler, until his health rendered him unable to serve.
Mr. Ward met Annabell Eleazer and they were married on November 17, 1984. As they built a life together, he began a service known as Palm’s Car Service. He used the CB handle name, “Crockett,” which became an affectionate nickname. In his free time, he loved being in the yard working in his garden.
Predeceased by his parents, a daughter, Sheila Walker and seven brothers, Thaddeus, John, Herman, William, Harold, Paul and Chester, he is survived by his wife, Annabell Ward; nine children, Eleanor Aiken of Riverhead, Elaine Johnson and husband Bill of Florida, Patricia Ward of Riverhead, Yvonne Jones of Florida, Sandra Walker of Port Jefferson, Rhonda LaSame and husband Paul of Staten Island, Karis Lamb of New Jersey, Xavier Eleazer and wife Anais of Hampton Bays, Robert Eleazer and wife Aukeeteamitch of Southampton; two brothers, James Ward and wife Jo Lorraine and Roosevelt Ward, all of Southampton; two sisters, Lillie Walker of New York City and Marion Field and husband Chester of California; brothers-in-law James Eleazer Jr. and wife Eloise, Ronald Eleazer and wife Donna, Kevin Eleazer and wife Lauren and Brad Eleazer; sisters-in-law Deborah Williams and husband Thomas, Sheila Terry, Karen Smith, Sandra Brumsey, and Judith Williams and husband Mark, all of Southampton; aunt Almeida Wilson of North Carolina; godchild LaVerne “Debbie” Ward; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.
A funeral took place on January 15 at Community Baptist Church in Southampton. Interment with military honors was at Calverton National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.