Blackie Ward

BLACKIE WARD Bertha Pauline "Blackie" Ward, daughter of Heston Perry and Mary Emily McGuire Cullen, was born, June 1, 1924 in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She departed this life, Sunday, January 27, 2008 in her home, Camdenton, Missouri at the age of eighty-three years, seven months and twenty-six days. On March 3, 1944 in Kansas City, Kansas, she was united in marriage to Clyde Richard Ward and to this union two children were born. Together they shared forty-nine years until his passing on August 17, 1993. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her sister and brother-in-law, Abigail and Lester Denny. Survivors include her children, Tom Ward and Susan Logan and husband Lanny all of Camdenton, Missouri; two grandchildren, Jennifer Pacheco and husband Joseph of Kansas City, Kansas and Pat Cochran and wife Angela of Camdenton, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Shawn Patrick Cochran of Camdenton and Lacey Pacheco of Springfield; niece and nephew, Randy Denny and wife Sandy and Sandy Shivers and husband Randy all of Camdenton and many great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Blackie was a third-generation resident of Camden County, Missouri. After finishing school, she worked as a waitress and went to California during World War II where she worked in an airplane factory as a welder. After returning to Camdenton, she met and married Clyde. Their family lived in various places throughout the country, while Clyde worked as a government contractor. Her roots eventually led them back to her home of Camdenton. In 1974, they purchased Paintin' Place, which they owned for many years. She had strong political views and was a proud member of the Democratic Party. In her spare time she was a Thoroughbred horse racing enthusiast. She had a "gift of gab" and never met a stranger. She loved spending time visiting with both family and friends. Most of all, she enjoyed family gatherings and the fun times they had together. Blackie was a loving mother, grandmother, and aunt and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and many accomplishments and will treasure the memories she created forever. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 31, 2008 in Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Decaturville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Decaturville Cemetery Fund and left at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton.