Elizabeth Jane Ward

Eliza “Elizabeth” Jane Lale Ward (1917-2020)

Eliza “Elizabeth” Jane Lale Ward was born on December 10, 1917, in Blytheville, Arkansas to Andrew Porter and Mabel May Claussen Lale and went home to the Lord on November 14, 2020, at the enchanting age of 102 years.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 20, 2020, at 1:00 PM at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. Burial will be at Belvedere Cemetery. Arrangements are by Robert Massie Funeral Home.

In her earlier years, Jane lived in Blytheville, AR and Dunklin County, MO. Her family moved to Breckenridge, TX in 1920 and lived most all her life in Texas. She spent many of those years in Big Spring, Paint Rock and San Angelo. On February 19, 1932, Jane married DJ “Jinks” Ward in San Angelo, Texas. They had four children, Donald Lester "Boots", Barbara Joan, Danya Oneil and Jeannie ''Nee Nee''. In addition to Ranch life, Jinks and Jane owned a produce business in Big Spring, Texas, better known in our family as the “fruit stand” and when they retired in 1970, they moved to San Angelo. In 1999 after Jinks’ passing, she moved to Marshall, TX.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. Jane who became known to many as simply “Granny” enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren whether it was on the banks of the Concho River or behind the fences of the ranch in Paint Rock. Family was her life. And did we mention her love of playing cards and dominos and yes, we know she didn’t really cheat; she was just that good.

Jane overcame many adversities in her life - living through the great depression, the loss of her daughter, Barbara at the age of 18 months, her brother Dempsey was KIA “Lost at Sea” serving in the US Navy during WWII on the USS New Orleans and most recently with the loss of her son, Boots, son-in-law, Jr. and grandson, Chad. She has faced each of these tragedies with dignity and grace and taught each of us the true meaning of courage and strength.

She is preceded in death by her father, A. P., mother, May, three brothers, Harold Carl Lale, Leonard Claussen "Sam" Lale, Elmer Paul "Dempsey'' Lale, one sister, Alice Claudine Lale, daughter, Barbara Ward, husband, Jinks Ward, son, Boots Ward, son-in-law, Jr. Ogden, daughter-in-law, Joy Ward and grandson, Chad Jennings. She is survived by her daughters Danya Ogden and Jeannie Jennings and her husband Jed, Myrna Burks and husband Tommy; her grandchildren Christi Ogden, Brent Ogden and his wife Suzy, Terry Kemp and her husband Paul, John Jennings and his wife Kim, Dennis Ward and Nancy Ward; her great grandchildren Charlie Ogden and his wife Lauren, Chelsea Dartez and her husband Brett, Kayleigh De La Rosa and her husband James, Jeremy Williams, Johnathan Jennings, Chelsea Elder and her husband William, Chanel Kemp, Randall Ward and his wife Chrissy, Rachel Cole and her husband Chase, Maddy Bandy and her husband Steve,and Justin Ward; her adopted grandchildren, Donna Cefalu, Jackie Atkison and Donna Weaver; her great-great grandchildren, Isabella, Blakely, Grayson, Carter, Hailey, Jayden, Declan, Oakley and Lyla; her sister Sally Lahmeyer; her niece, Kathy Lahmeyer; many nieces, nephews, cousins; and her best friend Erma Mitchell.

From the Big Skies of West Texas to the Piney Woods of East Texas she has blessed our hearts with her graciousness, kindness, amazing memories, wondrous stories and most of all love. Granny has enriched our lives forever and will be missed by all.