Myra S. Ward, 96, of Fort Smith passed away on May 3, 2019 in Fort Smith. She was born February 28, 1923 in North Little Rock, AR to H. Clyde and Bess High Smiley. She was a graduate of Little Rock Central High School and the Institute of Financial Education where she received a Certificate of Achievement, Diploma of Merit, and taught courses for the Fort Smith Chapter. She was a graduate of the Arkansas Savings and Loan League Institute of the University of Arkansas. She retired as Vice President of the First Federal Bank of Arkansas in 1988. She served as President of the Fort Smith Chapter of the Institute of Financial Education and Fort Smith Credit Women International. She served as a member of the Administrative Board of First United Methodist Church, the Advisory Trustees of Sparks Regional Medical Center, and was a Board Member of the Friends of the Fort Smith Library. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Gleaners Sunday School Class, the Methodist Village Auxiliary and won the 2007 Fort Smith Good Neighbor Award. After her retirement, Myra knitted 250 Baby Sweaters, 300 Prayer Shawls, and 250 Hats for Missions.
She is survived by one daughter, Gail Oakes of Fort Smith; one son, Frank H. Ward, III and his wife Rudda of Fort Smith; six grandchildren: Scott & wife Jennifer Ward, Dr. Jeff & wife Jenny Ward, Aimee and husband Chris Sale, Emily and husband Eddie Cole, Erin and husband Jacob Bouxsein, Erika and husband Tony Ragar; and twelve great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank H. Ward, Jr.; son in law, Larry Oakes; and sister, Jacquelyne Smiley Haynie.
The family will greet friends in the First United Methodist Church Narthex on Thursday, May 9, 2019 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Graveside service will be Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 11:00 AM in Pinecrest Memorial Park in Little Rock, AR. Cremation and services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to Methodist Nursing Home and Mercy Hospice for their excellent care.
Memorials may be made to Grand Avenue Baptist Church Missions or the First United Methodist Church.
To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
