Staff

Steve Ward

Funeral Director and Embalmer / Owner

J. Steve Ward, Funeral Director and owner of Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home was born in 1954 in Hazard, Kentucky. The youngest of four sons of Hazel Fox Ward of Lexington and the late Judge Don A. Ward, Steve and his wife Carol (Tatman) are the parents of one son, Hank, who is married to Tracie, and the grandparents of Peyton who was welcomed in April of 2009. Steve is 1972 graduate of Hazard High School, is an alumnus of the University of Kentucky, Transylvania University, and Eastern Kentucky University. He is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science. A member of the Versailles United Methodist Church, he has been the Woodford County Coroner since 1990, is a certified master Coroner in the state of Kentucky, has been a Rotarian and past president of the Versailles Rotary Club, past president and board member of the United Way of Woodford County, and served as board member, past Treasurer and past President of the Woodford County Salvation Army. A funeral director for over 32 years, Steve has been the owner of Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home since 1989. He was an employee of the firm for 12 years prior to purchasing the firm from his predecessor, Leslie J. Blackburn. Steve remains active in the community and is committed to providing the very best in funeral service to the families who trust in him and his staff.

Penny Baker

Office Manager

EMail at PBaker@BlackburnandWard.com

Penny Baker, our office manager, is a valuable resource to the organization of our firm. Penny has been an employee of our firm for over ten years. She is a mother of two sons, Justin and Austin, and the wife of Kim Baker. Penny is an exceptional resource for assisting families with insurance claims, veterans forms, social security assistance, and other matters which may take a burden off of the details of dealing with the loss of a loved one. Penny is most often the person at the "other end of the telephone", she is able to answer most of the questions a family may have with regard to handling arrangements and particulars at the time of ones' need. We are proud to have Penny as a part of our "family", she keeps us organized and on course, making the transition of losing a loved one easier for the families we serve.

Don Clark

Funeral Director and Embalmer

EMail at DClark@BlackburnandWard.com

We are pleased to have Don W. Clark join our firm as a funeral director and embalmer. Don was the owner of Duell-Clark Funeral Chapel for several years and is well known as an exceptionally talented individual in our profession. We believe with his expertise, we are further committed to offering the very best in funeral service to the Woodford County community. Don, a native of Versailles, is the father of four children. He is the son of Dorsey E. Clark and Pat R. Clark. We welcome Don to our staff and are pleased that he is a part of our funeral service family.

Everett Tucker

Funeral Director

Everett Tucker, a native and well known friend to generations of Woodford County citizens, has been employed by our firm as a funeral director after having worked previously in funeral service for several years. Mr. Tucker is the widower of Dorothy and father of the late Linda Tucker and has three grandchildren. We appreciate having him as an addition to our staff and ask you to be sure and welcome him as he greets you at the door of our funeral home. Our families recognize Everett's kind smile and attention to their needs and we are glad to have him as a member of our family of funeral directors.

Gary Finnell

Associate
Gary Finnell has been a part time employee of Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home for over 32 years. Gary assists with visitations and funeral services and maintains a dedication to serving families with a friendly warm greeting. Gary is most often visible at our parking lot door, greeting those who call during visitations. Gary is a member of the Versailles Baptist Church, is Past Master and member of the F&AM Landmark Lodge #41, and is a former volunteer for the Versailles Fired Department. Gary is married to Linda G. Finnell and is the father of two daughters, a granddaughter, and two grandsons.

Bernice Tucker

Associate
Bernice Tucker, our dedicated and faithful associate for several years, has the ability to pitch in at our office or during a visitation to help greet and assist families with a genuine gift of giving to others. Bernice is the wife of the late Raymond Tucker, a long time associate at our funeral home until his death in 2003. She is a native of Mackville, has lived in Versailles most of her adult life, and has one son and one grandson. Bernice retired from the Department of Social Services and is a member of the Versailles United Methodist Church. She is the founder of a widow's groug, Soul Survivors and will be more than happy to assist one with learning more about this group. Not only do we count on her abilities to assist in our office, we value her kind and caring compassion, her tender and understanding love. which she extends to families at their time of need.

Tillie Dunn

Associate

Tillie Dunn, one of the most faithful and dedicated friends we have, retired from IBM in 1987. He and his wife Chris have always been available to help us during busy times to make our services more accomodating for families who trust in us. Tillie is a friend to all, he walks some 3.2 miles six days a week and is known for his friendly "wave" to passersby who see him walking down Broadway or Main Street every morning. Tillie grew up in Woodford County, graduated from the old Versailles High School where he played football, served in the U. S. Coast Guard during WWII, and returned to Versailles where he worked in retail prior to going to work at IBM. He is the father of two daughters, Judy in Houston and Debbie in Lexington, and is a member of the Versailles United Methodist Church. We are pleased to have Tillie as a caring member of our team.

Gary Jones

Associate
Gary Jones, one of our most recent additions to our staff, is a native Woodford Countian. Gary is retired from the position of Director of Woodford County Parks and Recreation. Gary is a real "people person" and joins us as a greeter at our door during visitations and funerals. He is married to Janet and is the father of two sons. We are pleased to have him as a member of our team.

Leslie J. (Ikey) Blackburn, Jr.

Funeral Director -

1920 - 2010

"Ikey" Blackburn was the owner of Blackburn Funeral Home for over 30 years. Since retirement in 1989, he had remained an integral part of our organization and we are saddened by his death on January 22, 2010. His inspiration to offer the very best in funeral service remains as an ideal which we continue to follow while serving others. We "salute" Ikey, and remember him for the many years he steered the helm of our firm to help us develop into who we are today.