Joseph E. “Eddie” Ward, Sr., age 77, of 223 McCall Drive, Forest City, NC, died Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.

     Eddie was born on July 11, 1933 in Rutherford County, NC to the late Floyd Ward and Dora Bridges Ward.  He was the operator and owner of Dalton-Ward Clothing Store in downtown Forest City for most of his life. He was a member of Florence Baptist Church and was a past president of the Forest City Merchant’s Association.  He also served on the Board of Directors for First Citizens Bank and was one of the founding members of Dogwood Valley Golf Course. He was an avid golfer.

     In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Cecil Ward.

     Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Frances R. Ward; one daughter, Sheila Ward Greene and husband, Wilford, Sr. of Cliffside, NC; one son, Joey Ward and wife Sarah of Chapel Hill, NC; one brother, Robert “Bob” Ward of Florence, SC; two sisters, Versie Spangler and husband, Gene of Shelby, NC and Beki Melton of Forest City; one sister in-law, Betty Ward of Spindale; five grandchildren, Russell Padgett, Daniel Padgett, Elizabeth Clifton, Wilford Greene, Jr. and B.J. Greene and two great-grandsons, Kevin Jones and Andrew Padgett.

     Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 31, 2011 at Florence Baptist Church with Dr. Bobby Gantt officiating. Interment will follow in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Harrelson Funeral Home.

     Memorial donations are suggested to Florence Baptist Church Building Fund, 201 South Broadway, Forest City, NC  28043.