J. "Terry" Ward

J. “Terry” Ward, age 66 of Alto, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. Born in Demorest, Georgia on June 14, 1953 to the late John Buford and Dorothy “Dot” Henson Ward. Mr. Ward was a lineman and worked his way up to an operations manager with Habersham EMC with 37 years of service. During his career, he received GEMC Foreman & Supervisors’ Cofer-Langston Award for outstanding leadership. Terry was a graduate of Piedmont College. He was a member of the Cherokee Gun Club, past president of the Lake Burton Water Ski Association, ground man, team leader and founding member for HEMC’s first Lineman’s Rodeo team who placed first in the state and 3rd in the nation. Terry enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling, the water especially the lake and early Saturday morning ski trips with his kids while they were growing up. Survivors include his wife, Melany Berrong Ward of Alto; daughter and son-in-law, Jessica & Andrew Smith of Rabun Gap; son and daughter-in-law, Whit & Jessica Ward of Lakemont; 6 grandchildren; numerous other family and many, many friends. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 12 noon, Saturday, June 29, 2019 in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart. The family will receive friends from 10 am until the service hour on Saturday. Donations may be made in his memory to the Circle of Hope Cornelia, PO Box 833, Cornelia, GA 30531, F.A.I.T.H. Inc., PO Box 1964, Clayton, GA 30525 or a charity of your choice. An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com. MCGAHEE-GRIFFIN & STEWART FUNERAL HOME OF CORNELIA, GEORGIA (706/778-8668) IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.