John Ward Buckner was born Dec. 18, 1908, the only son and eldest of four children of William Ausburn “Audie” Buckner and Polly Malinda “Linnie” Ward. He grew up in Chatham County among the Rocky River Baptist Church community. During his youth, he attended Rocky River Baptist Church.
The church, in November 1927, voted to give Brother J. Ward Buckner a recommendation to preach. He was licensed in 1928 and ordained at Rocky River in 1929. The ordination service was held under the direction of Pastor L.D. Bass and assisted by the Revs. A.H. Porter, J.C. Delancy and R.H. Weaver.
Ward attended Mars Hill College and graduated from Wake Forest University in 1933. The year he entered Mars Hill, he met Audie Rue Garrard and they were married in 1930. To this union were born three children: Mary Ethel Buckner (Foster), Iris LaRue Buckner (Shuke) and John Ward Buckner Jr.
Ward and Audie Rue were a great team, working together for the advancement of God’s kingdom. He served as pastor of churches in the Rowan and Sandy Creek associations, and supplied many other churches. The couple moved its family back to the homeplace and Rocky River Baptist Church in 1952. They faithfully served in the church, often visiting the sick, shut-ins and prospective church members.
He served as a deacon, taught Sunday School and served on numerous committees — being a particularly valued member of the pastor search committee. Through times of sorrow and criticism, he remained steadfast. One church member has said many times it was such an inspiration to look toward the front of the church and see Ward and Audie Rue, with heads bowed, in prayer.
Ward owned and operated Buckner’s Jewelers for about 27 years.
When the Rev. Claude Simpson resigned as pastor of Rocky River to organize Brookdale Baptist Church in 1962 — with Rocky River being the new congregation’s sponsor — Ward and Audie Rue were commissioned by Rocky River to assist with the new church. They served Brookdale faithfully for two years, before returning once again to Rocky River, where they assumed their roles in the church as long as their health allowed.
John Ward Buckner died September 11, 1989. He was involved in several civic organizations, the Rocky River Baptist Church History Book records, but none took him away from his church. His first allegiance was always to Christ and His Church. In his life, Ward left a strong legacy: faith and commitment to Christ.
