Barbara Helen Ward

Barbara Helen Ward longtime resident of Cleveland, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the age of sixty nine years, nine months and thirteen days.

Barbara was born January 25, 1946, in Pawnee, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Dave and Myrtle Elsie (Herrian) Donalson. As a young girl Barbara grew up in Hallett where she began her education. She was part of the last 8th grade class at the Hallett School. Following the closure of the Hallett Schools; Barbara transferred to Cleveland Schools where she later graduated with the Class of 1964. Barbara was united in marriage on June 21, 1964 in Hallett, Oklahoma to Edward Francis Ward. The couple established their initial home in Kansas later returning to the Hallett and Jennings area. In December of 1976, Barbara and Ed moved to Blackburn. Barbara accepted employment with Southwestern Bell in 1982 as a telephone operator where she continued working until she was forced into retirement due to a disability in 1993.

Even with her disabilities Barbara loved working on the farm. She enjoyed her time driving the tractor bailing hay. Barbara helped until she was no longer physically able to climb up on the tractor. Couponing and searching out deals at garage sales were also favorite pastimes. She was also very frugal about what she purchased always wanting a better deal. Television was a very important part of her life especially the Price is Right as well as old TV shows. Yearly trips to Arizona to see her sister was also important to Barbara. However, family was the biggest thing in Barbara’s life. She always attended events of her grandchildren’s and attended graduations when she was physically unable. Barbara has been a member of the Western Heights Baptist Church for many years.

Survivors are her three children Tommy Ward and his wife Janice of Blackburn, Oklahoma, Danny Ward and his wife Brenda of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Laura Welker and her husband Dewayne of Hamill, South Dakota, three siblings Shirley Sellers of Mesa, Arizona, David Donalson of Jennings, Oklahoma, Patsy Wollschlager of Jennings, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren Chad Ward and wife Bethany, Beth Ward, Jake Ward, Chris Welker and fiance Amanda Luhr, Nolan Welker, Logan Welker, Katie Welker, Joseph Ward, one great granddaughter Eden Grace Ward and numerous other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents Barbara was preceded in death by three siblings Jerry Donalson, Sharol Seitz and an infant brother as well as her husband Edward Francis Ward in 1985.

Church services will be held 2:00 pm Friday, November 13, 2015 at Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. David Head officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethany Cemetery in Hallett, Oklahoma under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com.