Brenda Ward

Brenda Book Ward, 77, of Jonesboro passed away Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born September 4, 1947 in Jonesboro to the late Hulan and Catty (Wall) Adams. She graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1965. Brenda was a member of Woods Chapel Baptist Church in Brookland. She was employed at Retail Credit, then moved on to Hytrol where she stayed for 16 years. After Hytrol Brenda worked for Jonesboro Photocopy until her illness caused her to stop working for several years. Once she was able to work again, it led her to her most rewarding job, which was working as the head case worker for congressman Marion Berry from 1997 to 2011.

Brenda found great pleasure in helping others in obtaining their SS disability. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Brenda was the first ambassador from Arkansas for the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s. She enjoyed dancing and spent many hours dancing at the senior centers around the area before her illness no longer allowed her to do so. Brenda found enjoyment in painting, playing dominos and bingo. Those who knew her knew she was very much a people person. There were very few places she went that she did not know someone.

In addition to her parents, Brenda is preceded in death by her son, Jeremy Book; maternal grandparents, H.E. and Lucinda Wall and paternal grandparents, Olan and Mildred Adams.

She leaves behind one daughter, Amber Book of Jonesboro; two step-children, Tracey Gates and Scotty Ward both of Hoxie; one sister, Sharon Hopkins of Brookland; two brothers, Hillrey (Susan) Adams of Mountain Home, Randy “Bernie” (Linda) Adams of Brookland; five grandchildren: Tarah Henderson of Bono, Michael (Shea) Book of Brookland, Matthew (Sara) Book of Paragould, Avery Genheimer of Obetz, Ohio; three great-grandchildren, Braxten Baker, Remington Book, Kylie Jackson and numerous other family and friends.

Visitation will be Monday, July 14, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Emerson Memorial Chapel.

Funeral Service will be Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bro. Rick Hathcoat and Don Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to research of MSA, give.vanderbilthealth.org or Mt. Zion Cemetery Association, PO Box 98, Walcott, AR 72474.