Martha Ellen Ward

Martha West Ward, age 90 of San Antonio passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2009. Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Morris Ward; her parents, James Harris West and his wife, Mary Byrd White; brothers, Jesse William West, Henry Thomas West, Robert Floyd West, James Hester West; and sister, Cora Beatrice West.

She is survived by her twin sister, Mary West Dennis; nephew, William Martin Dennis, Jr. and his wife, Ann; niece, Judith Ellen Eichman and her husband, Frank; five grandnephews, Eric Eichman, Brandt Eichman and his wife, Jessica, Carter Dennis, and Gray Dennis and his wife, Dawn; grandniece, Mary Dennis Altmeyer and her husband, Wilson; and 4 great-grandnephews and nieces.

Born in Rome, MS, August 6, 1918, Martha spent her childhood years in Little Rock, AR, and later Shreveport, LA, where she began a career in civil service at numerous U.S. Air Force bases. In 1944 she married Air Force Captain Dale West Peterson, who died in 1945, when the B-29 he was commanding was lost in action while returning to Saipan.

After marrying Air Force Captain Ed Ward in 1950, she resided throughout the U.S. and Japan, finally settling in San Antonio in 1963. Martha retired from San Antonio College in 1986. A long time member of Grace Presbyterian Church, Martha will be remembered as an energetic and enthusiastic worker, who spent the past 46 years volunteering in various ecumenical and civic projects.

She was especially devoted to the Jefferson Area Co-op where she served the disabled and elderly. Known as an arts and crafts enthusiast, accomplished seamstress, oil painter, antique collector, and gardener, she joyfully shared her interests and talents with everyone.