Mr. Gerald "Bud" Alton Ware

On Monday, September 8th, Gerald “Bud” Ware finished his course on this earth surrounded by his loving family at the age of 68. Gerald Alton Ware was born on July 17, 1957 in Guntersville, Alabama to Billy Harold Ware, Sr. and Ilene Wilbanks Ware. Bud attended Guntersville High School where he was a member of the ROTC program. He was a skilled marksman serving on the rifle team. It was there that his love for the military began. He later enlisted in the United States Army, serving as a medic in Germany. A true servant, he loved helping people and had a calling to do so. He spent his career serving in mental health and social work. Being raised poor, he could empathize and find a common thread for people that were in need and dealing with struggles in life. Bud spent many years as a social worker with DHR, covering much of northeast Alabama. He also worked for Mountain Lakes Behavioral Health. As a mental health worker, he had a gift for working with and helping the elderly-in fact, he would get called out even when he was not on call because he was so gifted. He once said, “I like my job because I am doing the Lord’s work and they’re paying me to do it.” As a true people person, Bud loved to pick at people and if he did, that was a guarantee that he liked you. In his downtime, he loved to sing gospel music, spend time fishing, or watching a good western on TV. He became a faithful servant to Lord on July 12, 1981 when he received the Holy Ghost. He later became a song leader at Oak Grove Holiness Church for many years and enjoyed it wholeheartedly. For many years, Bud sang in a gospel group and traveled far and near singing. He was also a member of Stevenson Holiness Church and loved the people there. Bud had an unbreakable bond with his wife Rhonda, or Jane as he would call her most of the time. They were a team powered by love. This love is what got them through the loss of their daughter, Melanie, which he loved to the moon; and their son, Zach, which was his pride and joy. His life was built on his faith which allowed him to have strength and endurance. Almost every time he would testify at church, he would end by saying “above everything, I want to hear him say well done.” His goal in life was to endure to the end and hear those precious words. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 51 years, Rhonda Jane Ware; his son & daughter-in-law, Michael & Brandi Ware; his favorite granddaughter, Grace Ware; his grandson & granddaughter-in-law, Landon & Amaleah Ware; and his grandson, Easton Ware. Bud is also survived by his siblings, Billy Harold Ware, Jr. (Virginia), Robert Ware (Cathleen), Bobby Ware, Terry Ware (Gayla), Doug Ware (Chas), and Rose Pruitt (Shawn); along with several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and an innumerable amount of friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Melanie Ware Sims; son, Zachery Ware; parents, Billy Harold Ware, Sr. and Ilene Ware; and his precious mother-in-law, Louise Jackson. Funeral services will be held at Grant Memorial Chapel on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 1 p.m. A eulogy will be provided by Bro. Steadman McPeters. Bro. Chris Sims and Bro. Scott Byrum will officiate. Bro. Michael Clark’s words will also be shared. Following the service, he will be laid to rest by his son and daughter at New Prospect Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 from 5-8 p.m. and on Thursday until the time of service. Arrangements Entrusted to Grant Memorial Chapel

Mr. Gerald "Bud" Alton Ware

July 17, 1957 - September 8, 2025