Barbara Jean Ward

Barbara Jean Shadid Ward, 90, of Valdosta, passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Langdale Hospice House following a period of declining health. She was born on December 26, 1934, in Springfield, Illinois, to the late Sam and Samia Wehba Shadid. Mrs. Ward was a retired educator from the Lowndes County Schools system and was of the Greek Orthodox faith. Mrs. Ward served for many years as a para-pro with Pine Grove Elementary. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and was involved with Lutheran Women in Mission and the Thursday Quilting group. Her desire and ministry in life was the strong belief that we are all placed here to be of service to others, and she exhibited those traits in working with migrant workers teaching them to read English and volunteering with hospice for 27 years. She was proud to be a first generation American of Lebanese descent and was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She said many times her greatest achievement in life was being a mother to her 4 children.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Paula Ward-Caulkins and Rod Caulkins of Nashville, Tennessee, Martha Anderson of Cookeville, Tennessee, Brian and Robin Ward of Peachtree City, Georgia, and David Ward of Athens, Georgia; her grandchildren, Seth Anderson, Samia Anderson, Sarah Anderson and Terry Calver, Don and Claire Anderson, Leana and Kenny Jubb, Ryan and Tamara Ward, Jacob Brandlehner, Maggie and Joe Green, and Ava and Colton Craven; her great-grand children, Evelyn, Charlotte, Harvey, and Louis Jubb, Hannah, Heidi, Hazel, and Hudson Green, Aubrey, Matthew, and Amelia Craven, Landon and Rylee Rynearson, Isabelle, Olivia, Margo, and Brody Anderson; plus a wonderful bonus son, Rob Wilson and granddaughter, Christen Wilson; her brother, Phillip Shadid and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Ward and her siblings, Mitchell Shadid, Ann Herro, Linda Naufel, Gladys Walton, Woodrow Shadid, Dorothy Bahre, Jenny Kuykendal, John Shadid and Billy Shadid.

Local services for Barbara Ward will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church with Rev. Richard Lohmeyer officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Committal services will be held in Springfield, Illinois at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Staab Funeral Home in Springfield, Illinois is in charge of services at the national cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Messiah Lutheran church and the Valdosta Chapter of Disabled American Veterans. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane