Lillian Ward

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Lillian was born the youngest of five children to Charlie and Dora Scott in Nashville, Missouri, on July 12, 1930. She grew up in the rural area around Jasper, Missouri, where she helped with the family farm. 

Lillian did well in school and was valedictorian of her 8th-grade class. She was well-liked and participated in the school plays, and also kept score for the high school baseball team. She was an avid sports fan and loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals play.

After graduating high school, she worked in the Webb City Shirt factory. A short time later, she met her husband-to-be Olen Ward at the carnival, where he demonstrated his strength with the ring-the-bell game. They were married on February 7, 1952, and soon welcomed their first of three children in 1957, Gregg, followed quickly after by Garry in 1959 and Diane in 1960. She was preceded in death by her husband of forty years, Olen, in 1992 and her oldest son Gregg in 2002.

Her children were a big part of her life. She participated in all of their activities, including video games like Super Mario and Mario Cart. When her grandchildren came along, she was just as involved and could sit for hours playing video games with her grandchildren. She was there to watch and support her children and grandchildren if there was a baseball, softball, basketball, or football game. Lillian was a homeroom mom while her children were in elementary school and continuously welcomed her children's many friends for sleepovers.

She loved bowling and, after the passing of Olen, participated in two leagues in Joplin. Although she never passed the 200 mark, she got close at 187. The most humorous trophy she received was the last place trophy in 1967, followed by Most Improved in 1968. She maintained an average of over 140, well into her 80's.

Lillian was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Neosho, Missouri, for many years and later moved her membership to Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin, where she was a greeter and worked with the children in Awanas. She volunteered at Freeman Mercy Hospital gift shop for many years until declining health prevented her from continuing.

Lillian had a tender and compassionate personality with excellent people skills. She was a constant in her children's lives, always providing words of wisdom to help with their problems or to steer them to the right path. Lillian could be tough if the situation called for it, but hearing a harsh word from her was rare. Her way tended to be the quiet way - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9.

Lillian lived to be 92 years old and enjoyed the blessings of good health all the days of her long life. The Lord Jesus called her to her celestial home on August 14, 2022, after a short illness. Her loved ones surrounded Lillian at the time of her passing, and they will greatly miss her smile and gentile spirit.

She is survived by son Garry and his wife, Diane of Spring, Texas; daughter, Diane Stockam and her husband Steve of Joplin, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

There will be a graveside service under the direction of the Clark Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2022, at the Neosho IOOF Cemetery in Neosho.