Charles "Charlie" Galloway Ward, Jr.

Charles "Charlie" Galloway Ward, Jr. age 93, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Brooklyn Hall Personal Care Home in Mathiston, Mississippi. Mr. Ward was born on March 22, 1933, in Red Bay, Alabama to the late Charles "Bishop" Galloway Ward, Sr. and Ruby West Ward. Charlie moved to Eupora, Mississippi in 1936, from Red Bay, Alabama and graduated from Eupora High School in 1951. He graduated from Mississippi State University in July 1955, receiving a bachelor's degree in accounting. 

He worked with Price Waterhouse in New Orleans from 1955-1956. He volunteered for the Army where he served in Korea and Japan and was discharged in 1957. He returned to Eupora and began a career in public accounting. On November 27, 1957, Charlie and Kay Lacey were married in New York on the NBC Television program “Bride and Groom”. Charlie was a sole practitioner in Eupora until partnering with John T. Watkins in 1962 and James L. Stafford in 1968. Together the three of them formed Watkins, Ward and Stafford, CPAs which has grown to be one of the largest accounting firms in the state of Mississippi. 

Charlie was a life-long member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants. He was the oldest licensed member of the Mississippi Society of CPAs at the time of his death. A devoted MSU Alumnus, he served on the MSU Alumni Foundation Board and was a long-time Bulldog Club member. He enjoyed attending football games and tailgating with friends and family. He also enjoyed fishing and camping with family and friends over the years. 

Charlie was a life-long Methodist and member of the First United Methodist Church in Eupora, Mississippi for 78 years which is now Eupora Methodist Church. He served in many capacities throughout the church, including member of the Administrative Board, Finance Committee chairman and a Sunday School Teacher for 55 years. He was also involved and played an active role in the founding of the Cross of Christ in Eupora. 

Charlie is survived by his daughter, Karen "Sissy" L. (Mark) Stewart of Brevard, North Carolina; son, Charles "Chuck" Ward III of Eupora, Mississippi; three grandchildren, Charles “Charlie” D. Stewart of Boone, North Carolina, Lacey G. Stewart of Brevard, North Carolina and Hallie (Chad) Cunningham and three great grandchildren, Cash, Coy and Pressley Kay Cunningham all of Charlotte, North Carolina with one more great grandson, Caden Cunningham to be born October 12, 2026. 

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty plus years, Margaret Katherine "Kay" Lacey Ward and both parents, Charles "Bishop" Galloway Ward, Sr. and Ruby West Ward. 

Funeral Services will be held at Eupora Methodist Church in Eupora, Mississippi on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:00AM. The family will receive friends and loved ones for a time of visitation on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 10:00AM until time for services all at Eupora Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Eupora City Cemetery in Eupora, Mississippi. The Graveside/Committal Services will all be held at Eupora Methodist Church instead of Eupora City Cemetery. Rev. Nathan Phillips will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Charles "Chuck" Ward III, Jerry Gammel, Brad Harrison, Chris Turnipseed, Jason Brooks, John Russell and Charles Stewart. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lee Stafford, Dr. Charles Ozborn and all members of Watkins, Ward and Stafford. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all memorials in Mr. Ward's honor be made to Eupora Methodist Church or The Eupora Cross of Christ. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is honored to be entrusted with all arrangements for the Ward family.