Wanda Jane Ward

Our Mother, Wanda Jane, was the first born child of Lolita (Hood) and Albert Arnett on April 20, 1927 in Emmett, Arkansas. She grew up surrounded by grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins from both sides of the family in that close knit rural community. As the eldest daughter of five children, she learned at an early age to help with the chores and was a hard worker all her life. And, yes, we heard those stories about carrying a hot potato in her coat pocket as she trudged miles to school, in the snow. She was one of twelve who graduated from that little school house in 1945.

She grew up during the Depression so she knew hardships which were alleviated by having extended family to share whatever crops and food that was available. During World War II, when she was 17, she decided to get a job. Much to her surprise, her rather strict Grandpa Hood supported her decision. To her further astonishment, he attested to her being 18 so that she could work in the munitions plant. She said her two young bosses questioned her as to her age several times. She continued to tell them she was 18. As the summer ended and she needed to return to school, she didn’t quite know how to tell them that she was quitting. She told the truth; that she was continuing her education. They then asked, “just how old are you?” to which she replied, “Eighteen.” We were astonished because we never knew her to tell a lie. If she didn’t want to tell the absolute truth, she would find a way to express herself without lying or being truthfully blunt.

On July 20, 1946, she married John D. Ward in Emmett, Arkansas. They farmed around Emmett and Hope until the early 50’s when Daddy decided to make his “fortune“ in the oil fields in Texas. With three small children and another one on the way, they arrived in Snyder, Texas. Mother said she thought, “What in the world are we doing in a place like this?!” She often spoke of those early years when dust storms blew in so quickly, she couldn’t get the food covered up quickly enough so that it was covered with fine red dust. She said we ate many “red” mashed potatoes. Evidently, Snyder grew on her since she gave birth to two other daughters, one stillborn, and lived the rest of her life in Snyder.

Mother was a home maker until most of us were grown. When Kathy was school aged, Mama decided to find a job herself. She was a great cook who always made food look beautiful. She loved reading and particularly liked reading cookbooks. In 1973 she began her career of working for about 20 years in the school cafeterias. She loved feeding those little children and made many friends among her co-workers. Daddy retired before mother and caused her much mental anguish by taking over her kitchen to make his hot sauce. This from a man who never stepped in the kitchen except to eat.

When their 50th anniversary rolled around, we asked if we could give them a party. Mama readily agreed but didn’t know how daddy would react. We put a handsome picture of them from when they first married in the invitation. When everyone told daddy how good he looked, the deal was sealed. When we asked mama why she was so eager to celebrate that anniversary, she said many people thought their marriage would never last and she wanted them to see that it did. You would have to have known daddy to understand. But mama loved him and stood by his side for 52 years, until his death. Mother didn’t walk on water but she skimmed it a few times.

Mother and daddy made sure that we children went to school and to church every Sunday. Mother by taking us and daddy by making sure we went. Her latest church home was Avenue D Baptist Church. When she could no longer go to church services, she listened to Colonial Hill Baptist every Sunday. She was a good Christian woman who would not say anything negative about anyone and always encouraged us to do the right thing. She didn’t tell us we couldn’t, she would say, “I wish you would think about it.” She always accepted whoever we brought into the family or introduced as our friends. She was a kind hearted and forgiving person.

Left to cherish her memory are sons, Danny (Carol) Ward of Colleyville, TX, and Sam Ward of Snyder, TX; daughters, Kathy Ward and Helen Ward Cole of Odessa, TX; grandchildren, J. Ward of Austin. TX, Megan (Rob) Vander Ark of Lake Oswego, OR; Robbin (Frankie) Sanchez of Richland Springs, TX, and Jessica (Robert) Dickson of Knox City, TX.; Great grandchildren Cade Vander Ark, Nathanuel Dickson, Amanda and Kyle Sanchez; step grandchildren, Glenda (Cody) Douglas of Snyder, TX; Calvin (Stacey) Hunter of Snyder,TX; Barry (Dorsey) Wardwell of Snyder, TX and Jim Cole of Midland TX; twelve step- great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren; brothers Eugene (Darlene) Arnett of Palestine, TX and Mike ( Marie) of Baytown, TX; sister-in-laws Marjorie Ward of Camden, AR and Catherine Ward of Imperial,CA; uncles, Don (Alice) Arnett and William (Twyla) Arnett of Emmett, AR, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and a host of friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Albert and Lolita Arnett, husband John Ward, son Johnny Ward,daughter Juanita Ward, grandson Justin Ward, son in law Stanley Cole, daughter in law Cynthia Ward, sisters Joyce Ann Arnett and Minnie Wright.

We know that many loved our dear mother and we appreciate the heartfelt expressions of sympathy. Mother was a gentle soul with a will of steel. God truly blessed us with the best mother. She has endured much joy, hardship and heartache in this world and now is well forever. Mother, we are reminded of Phillipians 1:3, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”.

Visitatiion with the family will be Wednesday. December 17, at Bell Seale Cypert Funeral Home from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, December 18, 2014, in Snyder Cemetary. Services under direction of Bell….