EMMETT G. ARD

GREELEYVILLE - The Rev. Emmett G. Ard, husband of the late Virginia Gamble Ard, died Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Kingstree Nursing Facility.

Born July 1, 1919, in Greeleyville, he was the first of nine children of the late John Henry Sr. and the late Mary Elise Pack Ard. He was a World War II Navy veteran. He held several jobs, including having his own logging business, before he retired from civil service as a crane operator at the Charleston Naval Shipyard with 33 1/2 years of service. He was also a minister, having pastored a number of churches including the Little White Church in Greeleyville, Frierson's Tabernacle in Lake City, Shady Grove Church in Charleston, John's Island PHC, and others. He retired from the ministry in 1984. He enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing and going to church and spreading the "good news." He was a member of Floyd's Chapel PHC in Lake City.

He is survived by two sons, Charles Ard and wife, Bea, of Greeleyville and Donald Ard and wife, Jonnie, of Florence; two daughters, Bertha Burbage of Summerville and Patricia Cummings and husband, Tom, of Greeleyville; a brother, John Henry Ard Jr. of Asheville, N.C.; two sisters, Virginia Goodman of Chattanooga, Tenn., and JoAnn King of Bishopville; eight grandchildren; 11 great- grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held Saturday, March 5, 2011, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Revs. Douglas Filyaw and Billy Lee officiating. Burial followed in Clarendon Memorial Gardens.

The family received friends at the home, 20 N. Main St., Greeleyville.

Memorials may be made to Floyd's Chapel PHC, 1701 New Zion Road, Lake City, SC 29560.

Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.stephensfuneralhome.org.

Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179.