Gerald Mercer Ward

Gerald Mercer Ward, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2024, at the age of 93 at Trinity Landing Retirement Community in Wilmington, N.C. His wife, Pat, was by his side. Gerald is survived by Patricia Meyer Ward, his wife of 68 years; his daughter, Charlene Ward Wickham, and her husband, John Wickham of Washington, N.C.; and his daughter Gretchen Ward Nash, and her husband, Pembroke Nash of Wilmington, N.C. Gerald had five granddaughters:  Jordan Wickham Brown, and her husband, Jason Brown; Megan Zangenedeh, and her husband, Cameron Zangenedeh; Melissa Wickham Davis, and her husband, Ross Davis. Gerald had two grandsons:  Pembroke Nash III, and his wife, Rachel Nash; Gerald Mercer Nash, and his fiancé, Jessi Boose. He had six great-grandchildren:  Oliver Brown, Emma Meyer Brown, Rumi Zangenehzadeh, Lily Zangenehzadeh, Leona Davis, and Pembroke Nash IV. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Cecil Griffin, and other family members.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Marvin Ward and Lucile Parker Ward; his sister, Theresa Ward Brown, and her husband Milton Brown; and his sister, Carolyn Ward Griffin.

Gerald was the second full-time agent with North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company and moved to Tarboro, N.C., in 1956. For 20 years he was Agency Manager in Edgecombe County, and then became a District Manager for another 20 years for the company.

He was a long-time member of the Tarboro Kiwanis Club. He managed Kiwanis-sponsored Pancake Suppers for 25 years, raising money for scholarships and other opportunities. He continued serving with Golden Kiwanis. Gerald's affinity for purple martins and bluebirds became a hobby for him as he installed dozens of boxes along the pasture fence of his country home. He also built and maintained purple martin houses and bluebird boxes at Indian Lake in Tarboro, N.C.

Gerald's love of Jesus Christ, his family, his home, and his church was prominent in his lifetime. He served as a Deacon and an Elder at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church in Tarboro.

A Celebration of the Resurrection service will be held Wed., March 27 at 11 a.m. at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church in Tarboro, followed by a reception in Burns Hall. Memorials may be made directly to Howard Presbyterian Church at 303 E. St. James Street, Tarboro, N.C. 27886 or The Salvation Army.