Joyce Ward

Rose Joyce Ward Born May 26, 1924 Deceased August 3, 2014 Joyce grew up in Oklahoma. She lived through the Great Depression graduating from Davenport High School in 1942, where she was the Drum Majorette. She married Richard Earl Ward on February 26th 1942. They had four children; Richard Larry was born on Jan 31st 1943, Sandra Jane born on August 29th, 1945, Linda Joyce born on March 2nd 1947, and Sarah Belle on June 18th 1949. While Richard was in the Army Air Corp. they lived in South Carolina where Jane was born, and moved back to Oklahoma after World War II. After the war they moved around the state and into Texas while Richard worked in the oil fields. In 1956 they moved the family to Wichita, Kansas where she and Richard enrolled in Wichita State University. She graduated two years ahead of Richard and taught English and Drama at Derby High School until Richard completed his degree. At that time they moved to Santa Ana, California, where they fulfilled their teaching dreams until retirement. Her drama program at Huntington Beach High School was well known in the area, and was often attended by Hollywood talent scouts. She and Richard always worked together in whatever life put before them, whether it be raising the kids, her drama productions, traveling in the United States and in Europe, boating, camping, or worship. She loved music and played the piano, the organ, and the accordion. There was always a story to tell or something to teach, and she loved sharing those gifts freely and openly with any and everyone around her. Serving the Lord was obvious in all she did, especially in her later years when making blankets for the Sheridan Police Department to carry in their vehicles, or sending birthday cards and wishes to church members. Joyce always made an impression, always searched her soul to be the best she could be, and was always ready to lend a helping hand. She was quick to support the homeless and hungry, giving faithfully to several charities and missions. She was preceded in death by Richard, August 4th, 1997, and son Larry, Nov. 13th, 2009. Joyce was the last surviving member of both her family and Richard's. She leaves behind the following: Lynda Catherine Ward (Larry's wife) Marshall Ward (deceased), his son Ricky Ward and Kelly Werner & son Ricky Daniel Ward and wife Darby, & their three children; Preston, Cameron, & Jonathan Greg Ward and wife Andrea, & their three children: Elizabeth, Nolan, & Victoria Sandra Jane Ashley Dede Christopher & husband Rob, & their five children: Melissa & Eric Lopez, & their three children; Jeramiah, Autum, Emma Rory & Ashley Christopher, & son Rory James Zach Christopher, and son, Wesley Amanda Christopher, & two children; Nevaeh and Noah Cassidy Christopher James David Womack & wife Kim; & two children, Mahala & Jeshua Linda Joyce and Ed Brackett, and their two children Christopher Brackett and wife Jennifer and son Conner Amy Przygocki & husband Nathan, and their two children: Caitlin and Dylan Sarah Freeman & husband Lyndle and his children Christian & Summer & their three children: Haley, Aidan, & Harper Beth & Rich Kempel & their two children: Terran and Eliza Briana & John Kacinski and daughter Adaline. Her love, her knowledge and wisdom, her sense of humor and kindness will be missed and longed for. We know she is now at peace, joining in the throngs of angels gone before her, and waiting to welcome each of us who are left behind, on the day we arrive to join her. We are thankful.