Mr. Antoniques Samuel Ward

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”John 14:1 Antoniques "Tony" Samuel Ward of Byram-Jackson, Mississippi, at 68-years of age, transitioned from this earthly home during the early hours of Thursday morning, July 29, 2021. On May 31, 1953, Tony was born to Rev. and Mrs. Earl W. Ward and Ernestine (Halcomb) Ward of Jackson, Mississippi (Hinds County). He accepted Christ at an early age as a member of Northside Missionary Baptist Church of Jackson, Mississippi, located in Subdivision No. II. At the onset of grade school, he attended Westside Elementary School and Holy Ghost Catholic School. After completing all of his general studies, he graduated with the Class of 1971 from Forest Hill High School of Jackson, Mississippi. Upon graduating, he attempted to enroll at Jackson State University. However, before his high school graduation and during the height of immigration, a fight ensued between him and a white male student while attending Forest Hill High. The conflict ultimately hindered his acceptance to the university. Thus, he pursued his education at Hinds Junior College (Raymond, Mississippi). While enrolled at Hinds Junior College in 1971, Tony also met the love of his life and best friend, Daisy L. Gibson of Florence, Mississippi (Rankin County). Their courtship began as they completed their studies, where he received an Associate of Applied Science (Marketing). Later, he briefly attended Jackson State University with a continued interest in Marketing. On July 30, 1975, Tony and Daisy were united in Holy Matrimony, igniting their marriage for 46 years as they grew in love, unity, and devotion to one another. Tony was hardworking, steadfast, productive, and determined to do well for his family as a provider, protector, and leader. His wife and family were driving force, and Daisy certainly was his anchor as he faced the hills and valleys in his life to become the man we all grew to love. As a young child, Tony sold newspapers, flowers, and garden seeds throughout his neighborhood. Because he enjoyed people so much, Tony naturally pursued work in the marketing and sales industry and never lost passion for people and business. Therefore, throughout his young adult life, he worked as an agent with Mass Mutual Insurance. Tony also sold security devices within the elderly community, which positioned him to land a conservative contract with the city of Jackson. Although he enjoyed working as a salesman, Tony always put GOD and his family first, which led him to pursue a job with better benefits and more stability. So, he began working with the Mississippi Welfare Department. Shortly after getting married, Tony enlisted in the United States Army National Guard. During his ten years of military service, Tony earned Sergeant's rank and received numerous recognitions until honorably discharged in August 1992. Although enlisted in the Army, Tony still desired something more and was encouraged to apply with the United States Postal Service. Whereas, becoming a postal worker was not an ideal match for his personality; he had chosen a career that allowed him to provide the best for his family. In 2015, Tony retired from the United States Postal Service after 30+ years, where he had served his colleagues with lots of laughs and jokes. He worked diligently for many long hours and was a devoted participant and leader in the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees. Tony was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend without hesitation! To know him was to love him. He was a great provider and protector of his loved ones. He always had a funny story to tell and a valuable message to share. Many of these instructions often came during day-to-day conversations with his loved ones and even strangers. His advice was right more often than not. He would say, "Drink plenty of water," "Pay yourself first! Put something away for a rainy day, and invest wisely," and "Stress will burst a pipe. Learn how to shake life, or else life will shake you." Yet, what we sometimes saw as a rigid man, we grew to understand as a man of devotion, wisdom, intelligence, and most of all, tender-heartedness. He was a very loving, affectionate, and funny man most days. He was about unity and family ties wanting nothing but for all of us to be together and be happy. Although he was a hard worker, Tony was always sure to visit his parents and participate in family celebrations, as this was indeed his heart. In addition, he was a people person, so visiting people from the old neighborhood and attending gatherings with his former classmates and post office colleagues was also important. Aside from his family, his knack and love for listening to all sorts of music, dancing, building, and writing poetry were apparent. Tony was also a history buff, best at recalling dates and iconic moments throughout the Civil Rights movement and general history. As a child, he loved to hear his father, Earl Sr., sing, so much so that he too was inspired to sing, and he did. The artists he grew fond of were the Williams Brothers, Sam Cooke, The Spiritual QCs, The Temptations, and Aretha Franklin. Oh, but Sam Cooke was the one artist who greatly influenced Tony's style of singing. So when he and his family joined Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church (Jackson, MS), Tony's ingenuity as a singer and writer was sparked! As a Greater Mt. Calvary Male Chorus member, he happily shared his gifts with the church. Eventually, he wrote, produced, and sang a song that included the wise chorus, "Learn how to love to learn how to live and learn how to live to learn how to love." Later, he accomplished authorship after publishing his first and final book, The Subdivision Number 2: Hinds County, a memoir meant to reflect on his experiences as a young black male growing up in Jackson, MS. Tony and his family regularly attended Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, pastored by Rev. Dr. John E. Cameron, Sr., until his death. He was survived by his loving and devoted wife~ Daisy Ward (MS) and his children~ Shahid Muhammad (Salama) (MI), LaSha Ward (MS), Eric Graham (MI), Meridith Ward (TX), and Dax Ward (MS); grandchildren~ Remi, Atiya, Shadiya, Massadiq, Mizan, Khairi, Najaa, Alijah, Sajjad, Fatimah (MI) and siblings~ Wanda Joyce Moncure (MS), Earl Ward, Jr. (Olivia) (MI), Keisi Ward (MS) and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wonderful and loving brother~ Connett (who was very near and dear to his heart), parents~ Rev. Earl W. Ward, Sr. and Mrs. Ernestine (Halcomb) Ward, and Grandmother~ Vallena Johnson-Halcomb... Great Grandbaby~ Zion Muhammad Aunts~ Matilda Halcomb-Ward (Luther), Ruthie Halcomb-McAfee (HT), Omelia Ward-Jones (Barney), Girlie E. Jones-Ward (Vernon), Ethel Ward-Crockett (Isaac), and Darlene Ward-Crockett (Marvin Woodard/Lewis Crockett)... Uncles Everett Ward (Alice), Robert Johnson (Eula. D. Addean), Ellis Ward (Willie Lee), Douglass Halcomb (Lizzie Christine), Eugene Halcomb (Agertha), Elzy Vernice Ward (Lucy "Doll"), and Herman Ward (Earnice). Farewell, we shall meet again.

Mr. Antoniques Samuel Ward

May 31, 1953 - July 29, 2021