Laura John Ward

Laura John Hottal Ward was born May 12, 1924 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Her family moved to the Rio Grande Valley in November of 1924. The Hottal family settled in Primera, Texas where Laura John and her siblings grew up and graduated from what was then, Wilson Tract High School. In 1942 she married David Lewis Ward, also of Primera who was serving in the army. They were stationed first in New York City and then in Clearwater, Florida. David reached the rank of captain in 1945 and was soon deployed to Osaka, Japan for two years during the reconstruction period following the end of WWII and Laura John returned to live in Harlingen near her family. After the war, the Wards made their home in Primera where they owned and operated Ward’s Grocery Store and raised their three children. Ward’s Grocery served the community of Primera for well over two decades.

Laura John was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, David Lewis Ward, her son David Douglas Ward, and her son-in-law, Milton Frank Kellner.

She is survived by her two daughters Barbara Ward Haygood Probandt (Gerard) of Houston, and Laura Ward Kellner of Baytown, five grandchildren: Brad Haygood of Houston, Clint Haygood (Deana) of Houston, Martin Kellner (Julie) of Mont Belvieu, Leslie Kellner McAlee (Chris) of Katy, and Stacie Bowser (Chris) of Thorpe, England. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Connor and Hannah Haygood, Emily and Luke Kellner, Addysen, Reese, and Grant McAlee, and Estie, Boston, and Max Bowser.

In their retirement years, Laura John and David lived first in Freer, TX and later in Schwab City, TX, until finally moving to their home on Terry Lane in Baytown, TX to be closer to their daughters and their families.

“Granny” we love you. We will remember your stories, your wonderful home cooked meals, your love of God and family, and how you adored your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You were loved so very much by all of us and we will miss you!

Arrangements are entrusted to Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 3 pm at Memory Gardens Cemetery Mausoleum, 8624 Garth Rd., Baytown, Texas 77521. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with Laura Ward’s family at www.navarrefuneralhome.com.

The family is sincerely thankful for the tender loving care from the care givers at Lilac Assisted Living in Atascocita, Texas and ultimately for the compassionate hospice services provided there.