Edith Ozell Harris Ward

Funeral services for Edith Ozell Harris Ward, 91, of Kelsey will be held Thursday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gilmer, with burial at the Kelsey Cemetery in Kelsey. Bishop Jack Jones will preside and Kevin Ward will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer. Mrs. Ward died Nov. 29, 2010 in Gilmer, encircled by her loving family after a long and blessed life. She was a resident of Kelsey, a homemaker and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served as a Primary Teacher, Compassionate Service Leader and Visiting Teacher. But her greatest joy and accomplishment in life was family and her 13 children. Edith was known for her well kept yard, always in bloom in every season, and for having many large vegetable gardens for 62 years. She was honored by Harmony School for having the largest family of children in the District, and was awarded a plaque for having children in Harmony School for 36 years straight. She still has grandchildren and great-grandchildren attending Harmony Schools. Mrs. Edith Ward was born Sept. 29, 1919 in Bridgeport, Wise County, Texas to General Neute Harris and Annie Irene Collins Harris. She was the third child in a family of 11 children. She was married March 20, 1937 in Enoch, Upshur County, Texas to Herman Arleigh Ward, the son of Henry Oscar Ward and Jossie Veola Pardue Ward of Farmerville, Union, Louisiana. Her husband Arleigh preceded her in death in 1984. She was also preceded in death by sons Herman Oscar Ward in 1995 and Harold Arleigh Ward in 1947; a daughter, Judy Carolyn White in 2009; four grandchildren, Sandra Dee Ward in 1971, Christopher Michael Denton in 2004, Alan Brian Denton in 2009, and Barry Jayson Ward in 2010. Edith is survived by six sons and four daughters: Ocoho and Amy Ward of Latch, Michael and Virginia Denton of Gilmer, son-in-law, Jim White of Overton, Larry and Lana Smith of Rosewood; David and Judy Ward of East Mountain; Randy and Joycelyn Ward of Pine Tree; Elwyn and Terry Ward of Kelsey; Danny and JoAnn McBride of Kelsey; Gene and Janice Davis of Glenwood, Kevin Ward of Kelsey, and Fred Ward of Rain Tree Lakes. She is also survived by 39 grandchildren: Dan Ward and Sherry Davis of Grice; Larry Ward of Gilmer; Roger Ward and Trista Cox of White Oak; Rob Ward of Kelsey; Roy Ward of Rain Tree Lakes; Ben Ward, Brent Ward and Bradley Ward of Gilmer; Shelby Ward of Latch; Tami Denton of Gilmer, widow of Alan Denton; Stephanie Denton of Gilmer, widow of Chris Denton; Angela Moore of Enoch, Matt and Sarah Denton of Lindale; Michael and Michelle Williams of Overton; Travis and Becky Jackson of Overton. Also, Trey and Aubrey White of Tyler; Teresa Smith of Pine Tree; Paul and Dana Smith of Frisco; Johnny and Jory Morris of Latch; Allen and Tina Phillips of Lindale; Rob and Keesha Durham of Pritchett; Chad and Darla Powers of Kilgore; Daniel and Suzanne Ward of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Michael and Priscilla Ward of Nacogdoches; Shawna Ward of Humble; Landon and Kim Ward of Nacogdoches; Richard Ward of Kelsey; Gary Ward and Mandi Taylor of Raintree Lakes; Jeff Ward of Kelsey; Wesley and Charlene Ward of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia; Nikki McBride and Corbin McBride of Kelsey; Aston McBride and Pernecia Ross of Enoch; Cameron McBride and Amber Clark of Latch; Jeremy and Brittany Neill of Golden; Taryn Ward and David Richardson of Addison; Scott Ward, and Carey Johnson of Canton; Josh and Trista Ward of Shreveport, La.; Jalyn Ward of Maud and Rikki Ward of Tyler. She is survived by 32 great-grandchildren, David and Tenae Shelton, Longview and Whitney Ward, Itu, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Casey Ward, Gladewater and Lacey Ward, Gladewater; Ryder Ward, Kelsey; Jaylen Ward, Gilmer; Tyler, Mikenna, Breanne, Andrew and Logan Denton of Gilmer; Blake Kramer, Gilmer; Charlee Moore, Enoch; Zane Williams, Overton; Natasha and Angelina Smith, Pine Tree; Corey and Rachel Morris of Latch; Julianne and Samuel Phillips of Lindale; Dash Durham of Pritchett; Wade Powers of Kilgore; Lillian, Elizabeth, Anna, Joseph, and Samuel Ward of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Caden and Kailey Ward of Nacogdoches; Bryce and Kegan McBride of Enoch; and Logan Richardson of Addison. She is survived by two great-great-grandchildren, Zackary Thetford and Macie Thompson of Gladewater. She had 93 descendants. She is also survived by four of her 11 brothers and sisters: Maxine Duncan of San Francisco, California; Jessie and Aline Harris of Cere"s, California; Fred and Grace Harris of Las Vegas, Nevada; John and Martha Wofford of Hayfork, California; and 31 nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kelsey Cemetery, P.O. Box 33, Gilmer, TX 75644.