Mary Marjorie Ward

Mary Marjorie Lady was born in Ottawa, Kansas on June 14, 1931. Her parents died soon after her birth, and she was lovingly adopted and raised by George and Mary Elizabeth Lady. She spent her youth in Ottawa and Topeka, and she graduated from Winfield High School in 1949. She continued to attend her high school reunions over the years and was looking forward to her 60th reunion this year. During 1951 through 1980, she worked in both enlisted and civilian military positions. She lived and worked at Evreux Air Force Base in Paris, France for 4 years, and moved to Abilene in 1964 where she would reside the rest of her life. Somewhere in her professional life, she worked at the Pentagon, but she couldn't and wouldn't talk about it because it was confidential, and to the recent surprise to her family, she was a Sergeant in the Air Force. She was totally patriotic. She loved being an American. She loved being a Texan. She enjoyed 16 years being deeply involved and supporting the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America in different capacities. One thing she was most proud of was 3 of her scouts, including her younger son, achieving the highest ranking level of Eagle Scout. Mary and Chuck were set up on a blind date by mutual friends at Dyess' NCO club game night. Mary always said she won Chuck at a Bingo game. She married the love of her life in 1966, and they were married for 42 years. They loved to travel, play Cribbage, and she 'lovingly' went to the casinos with her husband. Mary loved God, her family, music, books, Starbucks Frappuccinos she loved to draw, and her rose bushes. Over the last decade, she took up carving, sculpting, guitar playing, and water aerobics. Her greatest recent joy; however, was spending time visiting her husband who is currently in the VA Hospital in Big Spring. Mary passed away on April 22, 2009 to be with our Lord and Savior, and all the angels she loved to talk about. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Elizabeth, and brothers John L. and Roland. Survivors include her husband, Clyde (Chuck) of Abilene, two sons, Forrest Ward and his wife, Janie, of Seattle, and Guy (G.T.) Ward and Jackie, of Abilene, as well as three grandchildren, Nicole of Austin, Nathan and Ryan of Seattle, and all of the family friends who have gathered here today. Thank you all for being here today to honor the life, and continued life eternal, of Mary Ward. Mary would be pleased if any remembrances of her are sent to the West Texas VA Health Care System, 300 Veterans Boulevard, Big Spring, TX, 70720.