Jean was born in Peterborough, England on January 19, 1927. In 1944, she met and married an American serviceman, Charles “Nickey” Ward. Over a year after World War II had ended, Jean relocated to northern Arkansas with her young children to be reunited with her husband. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America in 1954. After several state-side and overseas deployments with the US Air Force, the family moved to Barksdale Air Force Base in 1963 and chose to make Bossier City their home. Jean retired in 1985 after working as a customer service representative for over 30 years with the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). Following her retirement, she also worked part-time for American Greetings. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City and the former Trans Atlantic Brides and Parents Association (aka British Brides Club). She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, tending to her plants and flowers, working with her hands (knitting, crocheting, and needlework) and spoiling her four-legged children. She also loved to prepare Sunday lunch for her family including roast, Yorkshire pudding and jam tarts.
She was preceded in death by her husband, TSgt. Charles Elmo Ward (“Nickey”), infant son, James Keith Ward, parents, Fredrick James Maile and Lily Wheatly Maile, brother, Fred Maile, sister, Joan Reed, and great-grandson, Bailey Charles Ward.
Jean is survived by her children, Richard Ward and wife, Karen of Sierra Vista, AZ, Gillian Cox and husband, Manley of Germantown, TN, and Bryan Ward and wife, Teena of Shreveport, LA; grandchildren, Michele Ward, Bradley Ward and wife, Laura, Rodney Ward and wife, Trish, Wendy Holmes and husband, Stewart, Lori Matthews and husband, Philip, Jessica Ward and husband, Judd Smith, Jordan Carver and husband, Bradley, and Jamie Ward; great-grandchildren, Stephen LaSalle, McKinley LaSalle, Brandon Ward, Caroline Ward, Brooks Ward, Michael Ward and wife, Jessica, Breana Hagan and husband, Christopher, Anderson Holmes, Audrey Holmes, Blake Matthews, Hayden Matthews, Ward Smith, and Remy Smith; great-great-grandchildren, Ryan Grace Ward and Conner Ward; dearest friends, Eileen Wall (“NuNu”), Gina Baker and husband, Larry, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and her beloved dog, Mali.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Bloom at Bossier, Point of Grace Medical Services, and Kindred Home Health along with her many doctors and nurses for the loving care and kindness shown to Mrs. Ward and her family.
In accordance with her wishes, a private family gathering will be held in her honor at a future date. The family encourages memories to be shared on this website. If preferred, sympathy cards may be mailed to the family at PO Box 6297, Shreveport, LA 71136.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to one of Jean’s favorite charities – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Asbury United Methodist Church of Bossier City, or the Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana.
