Naomi Ward

Naomi Gary Ward

Naomi Gary Ward was reunited with her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on October 31, 2011, leaving behind the ravages of Alzheimers disease that slowly erased her memories but never diminished her love or personality.

Born on August 7, 1929, to Roy and Jewel Gary, in Wapanucka, Oklahoma, Naomi was a hardworking child of The Depression. After losing her beloved daddy at age 9, Naomi shouldered the burden of helping her young mother in the rearing of 7 brothers and siblings. In the early 1940s, the family moved from Oklahoma to New Mexico where Naomi graduated from Hagerman High School in 1948. She briefly attended Draughns Business School in Lubbock, Texas, before eloping with her husband Kenneth and starting a life together in Lake Arthur, New Mexico. Along the way, they welcomed four children into their family, and worked to make a wonderful family life in Hagerman.

Mindful of her mothers early widowhood, Naomi decided to return to college, earning her education degree in her midthirties. Thus began her second career as a first grade teacher in the Hagerman Public Schools, where she is remembered as a loving, tough teacher who believed each child held great potential. While teaching fulltime, Naomi pursued a graduate degree and received her Master of Education diploma. Sadly, her husband Ken passed away in April of 1985 after a long illness, and Naomi soldiered on, building a life on her own but never losing focus of her children, grandchildren, and friends.

A devout member of The Church of Christ, Naomi lived for Christ first, others second, and self last. Her caregivers at the Cinco Ranch Special Care Center and Autumn Leaves of The Woodlands, Texas, were devoted to the feisty, kind, flirtatious lady who retained her beautiful smile until the end.

Naomi leaves behind her children Ken Ward, of Hagerman Retta Ward, of Santa Fe Angie Ward Pratt and husband Richard, of The Woodlands, Texas and Priscilla Ward Lowery and husband Brent, of Midland, Texas. Her grandchildren are Lauren and Alec Stapp Carly and Caitlyn Pratt and Kurt, Jillian, and Kami Lowery. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Naomi is survived by the following siblings: Alvin Gary, Bill Gary, Rachel Gary Walker, Gene Gary, Loretta Gary, Lester Gary, Christine King West, and Robert King. Naomi was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Lavoice Gary, and her husband Kenneth Ward.

A celebration of Naomis life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2011, at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel in Roswell.
Those who wish to remember Naomi are encouraged to make a donation to the American Alzheimers Association 404 N. Kentucky, Roswell, NM 88201 in lieu of flowers.

Let not your heart be troubled believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Fathers house are many dwelling places if it were not so, I would have told you for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also. John 14: 13

Service

Funeral Service

Ballard Funeral Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, November 11, 2011
2:00pm

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

404 1/2 N. Kentucky
Roswell, NM  88201