Willie Faye Ward's Obituary
We want to thank each and every one of you for coming and celebrating Willie’s life and share the loss of her passing. She would have loved to have been here. Willie Faye Rhea Ward joined her Lord Jesus, Monday January 12th 2015, peacefully, at home surrounded by her family. She was 91 years old. She was gifted to Oscar Byron and Cora Myrtle Bonham Rhea on May 1st 1923 in Milburn Oklahoma.In a wagon pulled by mules, driven by her father, they traveled weekly to church where she met the Lord of her life.She was raised on her family’s farm, where they grew peanuts. With the money she earned in harvesting the peanuts, she helped build her parents a new home.She graduated from Milburn High school in 1940.During WW2 she worked as a “Rosie Riveter” at Spartan Aeronautics’ in Tulsa Oklahoma. She married Mitchell Ramsey in 1944. Divorced. Married Bill Henry Ward in 1951. She was mother to, Byron Lee Ramsey, Frances Anita, Bill Ken, Carroll Henry, Jerry Harlan, Sharon Louise, Steve Malcolm, George Jackson, Myrtle Eileen, Oscar Ben, Andy Lynn Ward and was (Mom) to all she knew.She was homemaker until her children grew older, then began working for JC Penny Custom Drapery, then Sears Drapery. She later worked for McCartneys, IGA and retired from Sam’s Club at 71st and Mingo in Tulsa at the age 87. She lived with Myrtle Eileen and attended Life Senior Day Center regularly which she enjoyed the care and love of the staff tremendously. She always spoke fondly of Our Finest Hour Church and Walnut Grove Church, where they treated her like family.Even after a hard days work, she was always willing to help and give tirelessly to her family and friends. Her famous quote was “Work is what keeps me going” Her name should have been Willie Work Ward. Her hospitality was endless, always wanting her guests to have plenty to eat and a place to stay. She always said “You can go home, when you can’t go anywhere else”, when you started to leave her.Willie Faye was proceeded in death by her mother and father, sisters Lucille Cody and Cecile Rhea, son George and step daughter Frances Anita Bowers.She is survived by her sister Joyce and husband Cecil Fillmore of OKC, Byron Lee and Phyllis Ramsey of Midwest City, Bill Ken and Paula Ward of Kellyville, Carroll and Carolyn Ward of Lewisville TX, Jerry and Cindy Ward of Coweta, Sharon and Glenn Hawkins of Germantown TN, Steve and Debbie Ward of Mounds, Myrtle Eileen and Tom Knecht of Tulsa, Oscar and Carol Ward of Broken Arrow, Andy and Lori Ward of Broken Arrow. Willie has 29 Grandchildren, 46 Great Grandchildren and 15 Great Great Grand Children and many nieces and nephews. Her legacy of loving kindness and her joyful smile will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is now home as she requested so many times. 2nd Corinthians 5:8 (Living) And we are not afraid but are quite content to die, for then we will be at home with the Lord.Visitation will be 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Friday, January 16th, Floral Haven Funeral Home, Broken Arrow.Funeral Service will be 3:00 pm, Saturday, January 17th, Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, Broken Arrow.In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Floral Haven Funeral Home for the Memorial Marker Fund in Willie Faye Ward’s honor.
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