Published: July 3, 2021

Opaline Gatlin Ward, age 87, died on July 2, 2021 at NHC Pulaski. She was born in Giles County, TN to Thomas and Retha Gatlin and was the fifth of five children.

 Opal was first and foremost devoted to God and her family. She stayed home with her children while they were young, reading them their favorite stories, cooking their favorite meals, and teaching them about Jesus. Once her children were older, she enjoyed her work in the Giles County School system as a cafeteria worker, librarian assistant, and special education assistant. Other places of employment through the years included Abernathy Lake Restaurant, Stephens Pants Factory, Lee Mar Shirt Factory, Wal-Mart, Martin Methodist College Library and the Giles County Public Library. She was a member of Pulaski First Baptist Church but also felt part of the family at First United Methodist Church and Greater Faith Church, both churches bringing her delicious meals and warm Christian fellowship each week.

 In addition to her parents, Opal was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Clinton Houston (C.H.) Ward, brother Leslie Gatlin Ward, and sisters Addie Mae Ring, Joyce Honea, and Christine Gatlin.

 Survivors include her sons Leslie Clinton (Patsy) Ward, Thomas Houston (Hillary) Ward, Anthony Wayne Ward, daughter-in-law Audrey Ward, grandchildren Nathan Ward, Nicolas Ortiz, Austin Ward, and Ashlyn Ward, and great-granddaughter Addyson Ward.

 Funeral services will be held at Bennett-May Pierce Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 6 at 6pm with Rev. Tommy Vann officiating. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 4-6pm at Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home in Pulaski, TN.

 Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, or Greater Faith Church, all of Pulaski.  

Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements for Opaline Ward.