Charles Matthew Ward

The Life of Charles “Chuck” Matthew Ward

Man is his own star, and the soul that can

Render an honest and a perfect man

Commands all light, all influence, all fate:

Nothing to him falls too early or too late.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life is a journey, not a home; a road, not a city of habitation; as we proceed along life’s roadside, there are many little inns -- plateaus of enjoyment and blessings – which serve to refresh us, that we may with renewed strength and resolve press on to the end to rest with God. A star, which once shined brightly has become dim; its light -- no longer seen on earth – has become a part of heaven. With the dimming of this star went the life of our loved one on June 2, 2022.

Charles Matthew Ward, son of the late Enoch and Irene Clark Ward, was born on the 6th of November 1933. He was the second of eleven children. In 1974, he was married to Cheryl Hadnott.

Charles was a trailblazer:  Charles spent most of his early life helping his father who was a sharecropper in Millen, Georgia. In  October of 1952, he decided he did not want to remain on the farm and asked his Mom for permission to leave and go to the city of Augusta, Georgia to find work. He told her he would return for the rest of the family once he got settled. He went to work at the Babcock & Wilcox plant and every other week, he would send his entire paycheck back home to help his Mom and Dad take care of the rest of the family. In 1953, he found a house in the new Black subdivision and encouraged the family to move with him to Augusta so that all of his younger siblings would have better educational and career opportunities. Irene Clark Ward wrote of his departure in her diary: “Look how nice he was. He didn’t leave thinking he was a man; he left home to make it better for his family.”   This one decision proved to be life changing for him and his siblings. Because of this one act of faith, Chuck positively impacted the lives of his entire family.

Charles was a selfless servant: Charles enlisted in the army during the Korean War and spent 3 years in the military. Even during his military service, he never stopped helping his parents provide for the family. Every other pay period he sent his Mom a part of his stipend and a savings bond. She saved the bonds until they had matured and earned enough interest to provide them with a nice little nest egg for “retirement.”

Charles was a self-motivated perpetual learner, always pursuing his next achievement: After his military service, Chuck moved to California where he became a postal worker. He used the GI Bill to attend college, receiving an undergraduate (B.S.) degree in electronic engineering from Pacific States University and a graduate (M.S.) degree in mathematics from West Coast University. He worked in design and systems engineering for the aerospace division (supporting missions from Apollo to Space Shuttle) at Rockwell International and at Northrup, where he retired.

Charles loved his family: He was the family advisor and problem solver. No matter what the situation, Chuck was the “Big brother” whose sage advice was sought after and heeded, especially after his Mom and Dad passed away.

Charles led his siblings by his example: Throughout his life he exemplified the greatest of principles – honesty, humility, self-confidence, resilience, self-reliance, determination, and perseverance. He was the family visionary who taught his siblings and others to fearlessly pursue the opportunities God gives us, walking by faith, with perseverance to finish the race. His life was the epitome of what it means to live life to the fullest, while honoring God. He will be missed by his family, those whom he loved, and those who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Enoch and Irene Clark Ward; his sister, Berneise Ward; and his brothers, James Earl Ward, Lee Mark “Billy” Ward, and Enoch Ward, Jr. His light still shines through those who love and cherish him: his former wife, Cheryl Ward; his brother, Dr. Bennie (Gabriele) Ward, Waco, Texas; his sisters Grace Gray, Pottstown, PA; Irene (William) Sua East Stroudsburg, PA; Katherine (John) Brown, Raleigh, NC; Joann (Tom) Ogburn Mission Viejo, CA, and Dr. Peggie (Wayne) Koon, Augusta, GA; his nephews, Kenneth Ward, Kevin Ward, and Justin Avery (Candice) Koon; his nieces, Edwina (Dominic) Heard, Tamara Gray, Jaime (Kenneth) Baylock, and Kiffiny (Carlos) Carter; his aunt Julia Reuben, and a host of other relatives.

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