Dr. Jerry Felton Ward, 88, of Greeneville, passed away Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. Dr. Ward was born Jan. 30, 1938, in Gadsden, Alabama.
Dr. Ward was a lifelong educator and school administrator who dedicated much of his professional life to the education of children and young adults in Greeneville and throughout East Tennessee. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business from King College in 1960, his Master of Arts degree in educational administration from East Tennessee State University in 1965 and his Doctor of Education degree in educational administration from East Tennessee State University in 1978.
Dr. Ward began his professional career at King College in 1960, where he served as recorder, special lecturer in economics and assistant registrar. In 1964, he joined the Greeneville City School System as assistant principal of Greeneville Junior High School, serving in that position until 1967, when he became principal. In 1969, he was appointed assistant superintendent of Greeneville City Schools, a position he held for 19 years. In 1988, he became superintendent of Greeneville City Schools, serving until his retirement from the school system in 1994. Following his retirement, he continued his commitment to education as a Distinguished Service Professor of Education at Tusculum College, where he taught courses in educational philosophy, teaching methods, instructional strategies and other areas of teacher preparation until 2005.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Ward received numerous honors recognizing his leadership and contributions to education. Most notably, he was named Tennessee Superintendent of the Year in 1992. He also received the Tennessee Environmental Education Association’s Administrator of the Year Award in 1994, the Greeneville-Greene County Chamber of Commerce Service to Students Award in 1995 and 1996, the Greeneville Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Educator Award in 1971 and the Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year Award in 1969. In 1999, he was recognized as an Honorary Faculty Member of the Tennessee Alpha Chapter of Alpha Chi at Tusculum College.
Dr. Ward was active in numerous professional educational organizations throughout his career. He was a member of the American Association of School Administrators, the National Education Association, the Tennessee Education Association and Phi Delta Kappa. He served as president of the Greeneville Education Association, chairman of the Upper East Tennessee Educational Cooperative Board of Directors and a member of the Elementary Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. His professional service reflected his longstanding dedication to improving educational opportunities for students and supporting the teachers and administrators entrusted with their education.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Ward was actively involved in civic and community organizations throughout Greeneville and Greene County. He was a longtime member of the Greeneville Exchange Club, serving as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and a member of its board of directors. He received the club’s Exchangeite of the Year Award in 1979. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Grandfather Home for Children in Banner Elk, North Carolina; the Board of Directors of the Nathanael Greene Museum; the Greene County Library Board of Directors; the Greene County YMCA Board of Trustees; the Greene Valley Developmental Center Human Rights Committee; and the Greeneville Civil Service Board. His other community activities included service with the Greene County Partnership, the Parker-Hannifin Scholarship Selection Committee and the Upper East Tennessee Office of Economic Opportunity.
Dr. Ward was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, where he had been a member since 1965. During his many years of service to the church, he served as a ruling elder, clerk of session, church school superintendent, choir member and member of the Property Acquisition Committee. He also served Holston Presbytery as a member of its Preparation for Ministry Committee. His commitment to his faith was further reflected in his service to Tusculum College, where he served on the Church Relations Committee and as a chapter sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Dr. Ward’s life was marked by his dedication to education, his service to the community, his commitment to his church and his love for his family. Through his many years as an educator, administrator, professor and community leader, he made a lasting contribution to Greeneville and Greene County and to the lives of countless students, teachers and families.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn Lansford Ward, who passed away Feb. 14, 2024. In their retirement years, they traveled the world with their close friends, including Greeneville’s own John and Joyce Johnson.
Dr. Ward is survived by three sons and three daughters-in-law, Dr. David F. Ward and Christina Ramsey of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Timothy and Jamie G. Ward of Greeneville, and Jeffrey M. and Christina G. Ward of Greeneville; grandchildren, Robert and Keera Weaver, Margaret Ward, Bailey Ward, Jade Ward and Jorja Ward; and great-grandchild, Johnny Rose Weaver.
A celebration of Dr. Ward’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville.
Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville/Greene County or ALPS Greeneville.
The family would also like to express its sincere appreciation to Dr. Ward’s great neighbors, Jim Elliott and Park McInturff, and his amazing caregivers, Pat White, Janie Hudgens, Ginny Sizemore, Lisa Cohn, Marian Bridges, Sally Dabbs, Brandon Ivy, Mark Croy and the Caris hospice nurses for their kindness, love and care for Dr. Ward during his final days.
