Mary Ward

Mary Jane (Crisco) Ward, 80, passed away at home in McRae, AR on the evening of Sunday, June 20, 2021.  She was born on May 29, 1941, in McRae, to parents, Thomas E. “Ton” and Lena M. (Redding) Crisco.  She was raised on her family’s farm, picking cotton between dirt roads that are today Hwy 13 and Hwy 267.  She made her first trips to “town” at the court square in Searcy by way of horse and wagon.

She spent her early childhood as an only child before she was blessed at the age of ten with a little girl’s pride and joy in the birth of her brother, Hal.  The family survived the “Tornado of ‘52” shortly thereafter, huddled together behind the wood stove as their house collapsed around them; then living in a one room shed for the next year while they rebuilt their home.

The first person in her family to graduate high school, Mary was a member of the McRae High School Class of 1959.

Also in 1959, cousin Ruth, invited her on a blind double date with a couple of military guys who were stationed at the Little Rock Air Force Base.  Mary became the bride of her date, Charles A. “Chuck” Ward, at Copperas Springs Church in McRae on October 2, 1959 and they spent over 59 happy years together.

While traveling from base to base, Chuck and Mary welcomed their son, Charles Elton, in 1961 in Little Rock, AR, and daughter, Kathryn Renee in 1963 at the air base in Blytheville, AR.

After Chuck’s discharge from the military, and a short stay on the air base in Roswell, NM, they returned to the family farm in McRae in 1964, where they enjoyed the rest of lives.

A seamstress, Mary owned her own clothing store, the ‘Fabric Style Shop’ in Searcy in the 1970’s.  She was the Administrator at Byrd Haven Nursing Home through the 70’s-80’s and, was a district manager for grocery store advertising firm, Actmedia, until her retirement in 1996.

Mary enjoyed traveling, especially to the National Parks of the American West.  She loved hunting, fishing, feeding her hummingbirds, reading novels, playing cards with friends and family, doting on her grandchildren, and watching ‘Dancing with the Stars.’  As an avid seamstress, she enjoyed crocheting and making clothing, doll dresses, potholders, coasters, baby blankets, etc., both for her family and to sell in her booth at the ‘Do Drop In’.   She was also a talented cook and was famous for her yeast rolls and her abilities in preparing and cooking wild game.  She and Chuck were members of the Little Red River Gun Club, where they were the Rifle & Pistol Shooting Champions of 1988.  Mary was a lifelong member of the Copperas Springs Church, where she played the piano for many years.

Her greatest joy in life was her family and she leaves them with the wonderful memories of big Christmas dinners, fried catfish and homemade ice cream on the patio, roasting marshmallows and poking at the campfire, vacations out West, and stories of her ancestors and the history of the Crisco-Ward Farm life she loved.

Mary is survived by her son, Charles E. (Sheron) Ward of McRae; daughter, Kathryn R. (Chris) Gregurek of Little Rock; grandchildren, Pamela K. (Chris) Gadler, Cathryn E. (Brian) Manis and Chance Gregurek; great grandchildren, Benton, Arwen & Raven Manis and Ciara & Cassi Gadler; brother Hal (Debbie) Crisco of McRae, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas E. “Ton” and Lena M. (Redding) Crisco, and husband, Charles A. “Chuck” Ward.

Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday, June 24, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Smith Westbrook Funeral Home, 404 West DeWitt Henry, Beebe,  AR.  Graveside services will be conducted at the Weir Cemetery, McRae, Friday, June 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

Arrangements by Smith Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe.    www.@smithfamilycares.com/westbrook