Roberta Marie Ward

Roberta was born on April 9, 1933 in Kiowa County, Oklahoma (Near Soldier Springs, OK). She attended school at the Port, OK rural school which at the time was the largest rural primary and secondary school serving multiple towns in the United States.

It was while attending high school that she met Harold Odell Ward, also a student at Port School. In addition to being a student, Harold drove one of the school buses, and he saved her a seat up front every day for the ride to school. Their friendship grew and blossomed through the years, and they were married on 14 Jun 1948 in Hobart, Kiowa, Oklahoma. Harold had dropped out of high school and worked at a local meat market learning the butcher trade. But Roberta insisted he finish high school so at night she helped him study and do homework so that he successfully graduated high school. One highlight of their time in school was that their senior graduating class got to travel by bus to Washington, DC to see the sights and sounds of our nation’s capital Think of that – to Washington, DC and back in a bus, in the 1940s! Where did they sleep – certainly not in motels. How they made sandwiches on the bus for meals, or stopped at fruit and vegetable stands along the way. She remembered every detail and had some colorful stories about that trip!

Roberta and Harold lived in Lawton, OK, then Hobart, OK where Harold worked at Dudy’s Meat Locker. The family grew and three years after they were married they had a son – Larry Dale Ward - born on 24 Jan 1951 in Sentinel, Washita County, Oklahoma. Then two years later they had a daughter – Debby Ann Ward – who was born on 07 Oct 1953 also in Sentinel, Washita, Oklahoma.

In 1960 the family moved from Oklahoma to Burkburnett, TX where Harold worked for United Supermarket, and then ultimately established roots in Wichita Falls, TX in 1968. It is here that Harold worked at a local United Supermarket and later at a Piggly Wiggly as the meat market manager. Many times Roberta would help Harold complete the meat market quarterly inventory working late into the night to count and document every item in the supermarkets’ meat department.

Roberta’s two children - Larry and Debby - graduated from high school, met their sweethearts and were married in Wichita Falls – Larry in 1971 and Debby in 1972, eventually resulting in three grandchildren for Roberta and Harold. Later, Roberta’s grandson Lenny married and had two children – Kaleb and Elizabeth.

In addition to keeping the family running smoothly, Roberta worked various jobs to supplement their income. She worked at the local Levi-Strauss factory making blue jeans for a few years. Later she worked at Helen’s House of Hallmark as a sales associate. Then for several years she was a companion and caregiver for a friend who was progressing through dementia and had no local family. After this friend died, Roberta performed house cleaning – at first for just a few friends. But word of mouth spread and she suddenly found herself with a list of “regulars” that she worked on a full schedule. It was while on the job cleaning a house in 2015 that she fell and broke her leg. This resulted in surgery, insertion of a metal rod fastened with screws, physical therapy, and a long recovery. But she made it through this ordeal with typical drive & determination.

Harold died in 2010 of heart failure. Roberta remained in their home in Wichita Falls where they had lived for 48 years. After Harold’s death Roberta occasionally traveled to visit and live with Debby and her husband (George) in Sierra Vista for extended periods of time. During one of these visits Roberta stayed in Prestige Assisted Living while Debby and her family were out of town. She found that she loved the assisted living environment, making friends quickly and enjoying the social atmosphere and activities. In 2016 she decided to sell her home in Wichita Falls and permanently move into the former Prestige Assisted Living – now Vista Pointe.

Roberta loved bird watching, socializing with friends, playing dominoes and double deck pinochle. She also hunted deer on Larry's deer lease.

Roberta was preceded in death by her daughter Debby and grandson Lenny. She is survived by her son Larry (Linda) Ward, son-in-law George Robbins, granddaughters Kristen Robbins and Lorie Ward, and great-grand children Kaleb and Elizabeth Marie.

Marie will be interred at a future date next to her beloved husband Harold in Wichita Falls, TX.