J. C. Ware

Services to commemorate the life of J. C. “Potato” Ware will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with Bishop Steven A. Paylor, the eulogist. Interment will be Pickett Cemetery in Hampton, Arkansas. Public visitation will be Friday, April 8 2022, from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home Van Buren, 119 Van Buren Street in Camden, Arkansas.

Mr. Ware will lie in state one hour prior to service time at the church on Saturday. Pallbearers will be Byron Collins, Jimmy Cross, Terry Cross, Nathaniel Gross, Christopher Cross, Curry Cross and Gary Cross. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenny Vaughn, Lance Collins, Aaron Moore, Eddie Dismute, Jonathan Tatum and Terry Montgomery.

J.C. Ware was born on July 26, 1938 in Calhoun County Hampton, AR to the union of Johnnie B. and Missouri (Washington) Ware. JC was the youngest son of eight children. He was preceded in death by his five sisters and four brothers: Addie B. Ware, Louis Ware, and J.D. Ware, Georgia Vaughn, Virginia Griffin, two of his half-brothers Leroy and Andrew, and two half-sisters Johnnie B. Williams, and Theola Washington.

J.C. professed Christ at an early age and became a member of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. He loved singing in the choir. As I was told he would sometimes get in trouble with Ed Haywood laughing in church while the spirit was high. J. C.  united in marriage with Dorothy Medlock, at first, they did not know if they wanted to live in Warren or stay in Calhoun County. He chose to stay with his mother-in-law. He worked hard in the gardens, growing food for the home. He would also go hunting for food. He told me about the time while hunting he ran across a baby bear. He knew the mom was not far, so he ended his hunt. Later the family moved to town in Hampton, where he continued to have a garden for food.

 JC had a nickname “Potato” growing up, because his love for potatoes. He worked at Potlatch in Warren for 35 years until he retired. He continued to work part-time at the Calhoun County Nutrition Center delivering “Meals on Wheel” to the elderly and disabled until his health begin failing him. After the death of his second wife his health continued to deteriorate, so he stayed with his daughter Tanya until his death.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories three sons: John C. (Lois) Ware of Arkadelphia, Ar., Othelous (Barbara) Ware of Hampton, Ar., Andre B. (Dorothy) Ware of Toledo, OH; Two daughters: Tanya W. (Charles) Lewis of Hampton, Ar., and Chelitha (Rick) Hearn of Hot Springs, Ar., Sixteen grandchildren: Brent A. (Tina) Sumler , Tiffany K. (Glenn) Hill, Jasmine R. Ware, Alia L. Williams, Dorcee M. Lewis, Edward P. (Rachel) Lewis, Netra (Lonnie) Miller, Braxton T. (Ariel) Hearn, Shaquavia S. Hearn, Aaron S. Moore, LaTundra R. Ware, Olesha R Grant, Zacharias O. Ware, Madison T. Ware, Bella M. Ware, Adriana B. Ware; Two sisters, Bishop Betty S. Hayes and Minister Willie B. (TC) Montgomery and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews along with relatives, friends, and in-laws.

J.C. Ware leaves to cherish fond memories from his extended family with his second deceased wife Linda Collins six stepchildren: Shannon (Jermaine) Warren, Byron (Shavon) Bradford, Lacey Collins, Lance Collins, and Brandy Collins, Deshawn Collins, and a many of grandchildren, nieces and nephews along with friends and in-laws.

Submitted by the Ware Family