Margaret Jean Ward

August 1, 1952 - August 22, 2019

Margaret Jean (Marje) Ellis Ward, daughter of Leonard James Ellis, Jr., and Mary Beatrice Miller Ellis, began the song on August 1, 1952, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She joined sister, Kathy, and brother, Jim, to make the family. Margaret attended Putnam City Schools for twelve years, graduating in 1970. Oklahoma State University was her next educational step. She achieved Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees there, before marrying and moving to Garland, Texas, in 1977. The song of life became more intricate with so many more notes. While setting up their house, Margaret worked with their dogs in obedience training. When Sam, the Samoyed, and Kelly, the Elkhound, came to live with them, she trained and worked them both in Rehabilitation Services at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. Margaret continued to learn new notes by buying her beloved MR2 in 1988. Not only that she entered car races with Treble. The energy of racing created a crescendo which made us sit up and take notice. She wasn’t singing a small, soft song anymore. Margaret was all of five feet tall. In May (19th) of 1990, she married Phil Ward in Copperas Cove, Texas. Now the song was a duet. Margaret was hired to design and construct sign products for Accurate Sign in Mesquite, Texas. Frank’s description was that she could do more in twenty-five hours a week than some folks twice her size could in forty hours. The song got better when Frank, Margaret, and the Old Gentleman who visited the shop would sing Bluegrass Gospel in the work room. No connection about the work done, but two years later a major key change in the song occurred when she had back surgery. Car showing replaced car racing in the lyrics of her song. Sign shop and car shows with traveling became a well-known standard until Margaret retired in 2008, and the pair moved to Park Hill, Oklahoma, for retirement. They joined the 5C (Car Club) and have been active these eleven years in Club projects, the Toy Run—which has built up to 1600 donated Christmas gifts for area children—and the Spring Car Show. Margaret registered folks as they entered. Many neighbors can say that Margaret was usually present and active in their receiving things they needed, just because she observed, responded, and was not afraid to give of herself or of her things. They were partners and companions until August 22, 2019. The singing may have been muted, but Margaret’s song goes on. Margaret’s parents, Leonard “Doc” and Mary Ellis, preceded her in death. All but two of her greatly loved pets have gone to wait for her. Her mother-in-law, Nedra Ward, and father-in-law, Curtis Ward, have also crossed through infinity’s curtain. She is survived by her husband and companion, Phil Ward, of the home, by her sister, Kathy Ellis, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, and by her brother, Jim Ellis, and sister-in-law, Melanie Ellis, of Oklahoma City Oklahoma, by Camo and CeeCee of the home. Many cousins from both sides of their family remain as well as many great friends. She will be missed. Margaret’s family would like to thank all the friends and folks who provided care, meals, cards, and visits during her final weeks. A special thanks to Katy and the Cherokee Nation Hospice for their excellent care and concern. Margaret was in good hands.