Martha J Ward

Martha Jo Ward, 81, found peace and rest in the arms of our Lord Sunday, August 12, 2018. She was surrounded by family and caregivers at Heritage Oaks Retirement Village. Martha (Sookie) was born to William Morgan and Martha Faye Lowe on November 21, 1936 in Powell, Texas. As a child, she attended Powell School and was baptized at Powell Baptist Church. She graduated a year early from Kerens High School, attending Navarro Jr. College and Baylor University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Martha Jo married Joseph Allen Ward from Kerens on August 31, 1957. The couple briefly lived in Waco before moving to Midkiff, Texas. After the birth of their three children, they relocated to Kerens to be close to family. Martha began teaching elementary school in Kerens in 1964. She continued her teaching career for 29 years until her retirement. Before retiring, she received a Master of Arts in Education from Stephen F. Austin University. After devoting herself to her students and community, Martha opened a gift and décor shop called Mother and Daughter Creative Designs in downtown Kerens. She was known for her beautiful jewelry designs, gift wrapping, and floral arrangements. After two years, she relocated the shop to Corsicana, finally settling into the old Cooper Shoe building on downtown Beaton Street. After the death of her parents, Martha and her husband Joe moved into her mother and father’s home in Corsicana and joined Northside Baptist Church. Martha was preceded by her parents, William Morgan and Martha Faye (Jim) Lowe and husband, Joseph Allen Ward. She is survived by her sister, Morganna Harwood of Riverhills, TX; children, Kim Phinney of Corsicana, John Ward of Dallas, and Jody Ward of Corsicana; grandchildren Ashley, Jaimie, Laura Beth and Joseph(Joey) Ward, Kristen Kelly and Michele McKnight; great-grandchildren Michaela Burke, Gracie Lopez and Talon Kelly; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Northside Baptist Church. Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Saturday at Northside Baptist Church with Bro. Randal Whitt officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie Point Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joey Ward, Steve Garlington, Dan Garlington, Mike Daniels, Roger Davis, Adam Kelly. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northside Baptist Church Care Center 2800 North Beaton Corsicana, Texas 75110.

Martha J Ward

November 21, 1936 - August 12, 2018