Edith Sue Ward

          Edith Sue Ward, 79, of LeFlore passed from this earth on January 30, 2021 at her home.  She was the 2^nd of 4 daughters born to Claud and Imogene (Owens) Welch on July 25, 1941 in Wister, OK.  On June 3, 1961, she married the love of her life Johnny Ward.  They shared 49 years together prior to his death on January 15, 2011.  She graduated from LeFlore High school in 1959, Eastern OK state College in 1961, and Northeastern Ok State College in 1963.  She began her teaching career in Buffalo Valley and taught in Albion before moving back to LeFlore in 1973 to teach 3^rd grade and continued to teach at Leflore for over 35 years before retirement.  Retirement didn’t last long and she returned to education as a teacher and teacher’s aide at Wister for several more years.  She enjoyed being a coach’s wife and connected with the athletes in many ways, whether doing laundry, serving meals, or lending an ear.

          She was an active member of the First Baptist church and served as teacher, treasurer, and song leader through the years.  She sang as long as her health allowed. She was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and enjoyed the many activities offered by the Poteau Sr. center. She was Choctaw Outstanding Elder for District 4 in 2011.

          She was preceded in death by her parents Claud & Imogene, her husband Johnny, her baby boy “Big Al” John Alan Ward in 1991, and her sister & brother in law, Brenda & Jackie Sweeten; brother in law, Bill Ward.

          She is survived by her children, Susan and James Cantwell of Fort Smith, AR. and Anthony Ward of Paige, TX, her grandsons, Michael and Stephanie Cantwell and their children Amara, Chloe, and Kyle of Poteau, Matthew Cantwell of LeFlore, OK and his children Adrianna and Emerson, and Spencer Ward and his mother, Tammy Ward, of San Antonio, TX, sisters Shirley Ward and Claudette Hamner, both of Heavener and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 3 pm, Wednesday, February 3, 2021 the First Baptist Church of LeFlore  with Bro. Tracy Lloyd & Marion Fry officiating.

Pallbearers will be Mark and Bryan Warren, Gary Gibson, John E. McAlester, John P. McAlester, Keith O’Neal.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Herell, Michael Cantwell, Matthew Cantwell & Spencer Ward.

 Family will be at the funeral home for visitation on Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm.

 If any former students wish to pay tribute, simply drop a freshly sharpened pencil WITH YOUR NAME ON IT in the bucket at either the funeral home, her home, or the church.  Pencils and a sharpener will be available at each location.