lit a candle 9h agoMy mum did her teacher training under him at Tusculum and rang me the second she saw this. 88. Never met the man but she's gutted.
Their story
Dr. Jerry Felton Ward was an East Tennessee educator who spent three decades with Greeneville City Schools, the last six years as superintendent, and then more than a decade preparing future teachers at Tusculum College. He was named Tennessee Superintendent of the Year in 1992. He was born on 30…
Dr. Jerry Felton Ward was an East Tennessee educator who spent three decades with Greeneville City Schools, the last six years as superintendent, and then more than a decade preparing future teachers at Tusculum College. He was named Tennessee Superintendent of the Year in 1992.
He was born on 30 January 1938 in Gadsden, Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business from King College in 1960, a Master of Arts in educational administration from East Tennessee State University in 1965 and a Doctor of Education in the same field from East Tennessee State in 1978, with further postgraduate study in educational evaluation and research at the University of Tennessee.
Ward began his working life at King College in 1960 as recorder, special lecturer in economics and assistant registrar. In 1964 he joined Greeneville City Schools as assistant principal of Greeneville Junior High School, becoming its principal in 1967. In 1969 he was appointed assistant superintendent, a post he held for 19 years, and in 1988 he became superintendent, serving until he retired from the system in 1994. He then became Distinguished Service Professor of Education at Tusculum College, teaching educational philosophy, teaching methods and instructional strategies until 2005, and serving as department chair and division chair. He later sat on the Tusculum Board of Trustees.
His wife, Carolyn Lansford Ward, was also an educator, who taught at Tusculum View and later directed student teaching at Tusculum College. Together they established a scholarship for students preparing to teach. They had three sons, David, a physician, Tim, a former Greeneville police chief, and Jeff, an attorney. Carolyn died in February 2024 after more than six decades of marriage. Ward was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville from 1965, serving as a ruling elder, clerk of session and choir member.
Ward died on Monday, 2 November 2026, aged 88. His obituary was published by Jeffers Funeral and Cremation Service, and local station WGRV reported his death. No cause was made public. A celebration of his life is planned for 14 November 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville.
Biography adapted from Obituary (Jeffers Funeral and Cremation Service) and news reports (WGRV).
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1by People Forever
That's a proper legacy, sorry for your mum.