Rodney Ward
Rodney DeWayne Ward, 54, was born on October 24, 1967, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Johnnie and Bobby Ward. After a brief illness, Rodney passed away peacefully, shortly after midnight on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Parkridge Medical Center.
He grew up in Chattanooga and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1985. Upon graduation, Rodney attended Tennessee State University in Nashville. After college Rodney remained in Nashville for over 20 years where he worked for Saint Thomas Hospital. Rodney later returned to Chattanooga to be closer to his mom. He loved working in a hospital setting and held positions at CHI Memorial Hospital and Parkridge Medical Center. He remained at Parkridge until his illness in October 2021.
Rodney was dedicated to his church, Redemption to the Nation, where he was an active member of the men’s fellowship, but most importantly, he was dedicated to God. He was a Christian in the true sense of the word. He loved reading his bible and went nowhere without it. Rodney loved singing gospel music which served as strength, hope, and comfort for him. He wore the emblem of a cross around his neck and carried one in his car as a constant reminder that Christ died on a cross for his sins. Rodney’s love for the Lord was evident in how he lived his life, and he seized every opportunity to share the goodness of God through his Facebook posts and to everyone he met on the street.
Rodney was preceded in death by his mother, Johnnie Ward, his father, Bobby Ward, brother, Bobby Ward Jr., and sister Barnessa Jordan.
Left to cherish his loving memories are his wife, Cheryl Ward; children, Sydney Ward, Jonathan Ward, and Leah Ward; stepchildren, Chevaunese Cann, Chevaughn Cann, and Chevonae Cann; sister, Lindella Johnson (James Brown) brother, Roger Ward; aunt, Maria Johnson; along with a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends. May his soul rest in peace.
Special thanks to the MICU staff at Parkridge Medical Center, Hospice of Chattanooga, Orchard Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, and John P. Franklin Funeral Home.
Public viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18, followed by a funeral service at 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.