Diane "Dedi" Ward

Diane "Dedi" Soape Ward was born on October 11, 1946 to the late Abb and Opal Bonner Soape Jr. in Corsicana. Diane was saved when she was 13 years old at Memorial Baptist Church. She passed away on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco with her family who have been at her side every day after a brief struggle with cancer. She was united in marriage to Sammy Joe Ward on June 12, 1970 at Memorial Baptist Church. They were married for 44 blissful years. Diane loved being a mother to her two children but her greatest joy in life was being a grandmother, better known as "Dedi" to her two grandchildren. She loved reading books in her spare time and watching football on TV. She was a die heart University of Texas and Dallas Cowboy fan. She always told her children and grandchildren to fight for their dreams and never hold grudges. She worked at Medical Arts Clinic for several years and then at the OB/GYN Department at Navarro Regional Hospital for a total of 20 years. Diane had an unwavering faith in God and for that she was at peace and had no fear of death. She was a member of the Hubbard Cowboy Church. Diane is survived by her husband Sammy Joe Ward of Corsciana; children, Kevin Ward of Corsicana and Kami Matthews and husband Kris of Dawson; grandchildren, Stormi and Jace Matthews of Dawson and a number of extended family members and friends. Diane was preceded in death by her father Abb Soape Jr., mother Opal Soape Robertson and step father Harvey Robertson. Visitation with Diane's family will be Friday evening from 6 - 8pm at Griffin - Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at the Cowboy Church of Corsicana, 5864 West HWY 31 Corsicana, Texas 75110, on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 2pm with Butch Boatright from the Hubbard Cowboy Church officiating. Burial will follow at Hamilton - Beeman Cemetery in Retreat. Pallbearers will be Kevin Ward, Kris Matthews, Dr. Neal Green, Billy Jack Crocker, Charlie Mathes, Wesley Blue, T.J. Boatright and Jeremy Wade. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Hedrick, Brent Hedrick, Brett Bell, Robert Golhke, Ryan Blue, Eric Chapman, Joe Kittrell, Ty Cantu, Joe Herman and Lynn Winstead. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society - Navarro County Unit 1000 West 2ND Avenue Corsicana, Texas 75110 or American Diabetes Association 4100 Alpha Road Suite 100 Dallas, Texas 75244.

Diane "Dedi" Ward

October 11, 1946 - January 12, 2015