Funeral services for Marjorie Lee Ward of Sulphur Springs, will be held Friday, January 26, 2024 in the First Baptist Church Sanctuary with Pastor Jeff Gravens officiating. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friday morning prior to the service at 11:00. Interment will follow in the Union Cemetery.
Marjorie was born on May 9, 1930 in Sulphur Springs, Texas, the daughter of Cornelia and Ernest McKeever. She entered into Heaven Friday, January 19, 2024 at 4:50 a.m. After graduating from Sulphur Springs High School, she attended a business school in Dallas. Shortly after, she returned to Sulphur Springs and on June 25,1949, married the love of her life, Kenneth Ray Ward. They shared 74 years of marriage, building a life together of family, hard work and serving the Lord.
After her daughters were older, Marjorie became the Financial Secretary for two churches: Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, and First Baptist Church of Beaumont. Her greatest adventure came when she and Kenneth bought Sulphur Springs Parts Company, where she was the Office Manager and Financial Secretary of the business.
Serving the Lord in church has been top priority for Marjorie, and she was a member of First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. She served on the Union Cemetery Association Board beginning 1985, serving as Trustee, Chairman, Treasurer, and from 1985 to the present, currently as Vice-President emeritus. Throughout her life, she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and sang in the Sanctuary and Silvertone Choirs at First Baptist Church. She loved music, and enjoyed playing the piano and organ. In fact, in their home you would find a piano and three organs!
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Ray Ward; her three daughters: Margaret Thomas of Montgomery; Jerry Burks Watkins and Charlie of McKinney; and Jackie O’Quinn and Danny of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Grandchildren: Mindy Thomas Fisher and Cody of McKinney; Heather Thomas of San Antonio; Brandon Burks and Amy of New Llano, Louisiana; Bradley Burks of Roswell, New Mexico; Brian O’Quinn and Debbie of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Julia O’Quinn Brady and Tom of Bayville, New Jersey; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelia and Ernest McKeever, her son-in-law Wayne Thomas, and her brother and sister-in-law, James Travis McKeever and Janette.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the tender care Mrs. Ward received while living at Hopkins Court in Sulphur Springs and from Sheree Esparza, her nurse with Heart to Heart Hospice.
