Nancy Ward

Nancy Lee Ward, 75, of North Little Rock gained her Angel wings and ascended to Heaven on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. She was born July 30, 1940 in Springfield, Missouri as the only daughter to Ellis and Hattie Wright who were both lifelong educators. She grew up in Corning and upon completion of high school attended State Teacher's College (UCA) in Conway and became an educator following her parents' career. She started teaching in Slovak (near Stuttgart) before moving to North Little Rock where she enjoyed a career of 28 years in the North Little Rock Public Schools. She influenced and enriched the lives of many of her students. Upon retiring from the school system; she continued in the field of education with the Arkansas State University Childcare Program and a brief tenure at Immaculate Conception Catholic School. Her specialty in early childhood education led her to becoming the Director of the "Lil Heroes" Daycare Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Bobby L. Ward and her two children; Don (Jamie) Thornton of North Little Rock and Gayle (Lindy) Kirkpatrick of Cabot. She is also survived by her husband's three children; Debra (Robert) Lusk of North Little Rock, Wanda (Greg) Deaton of Little Rock and Robert (Tanya) Ward of Sherwood; eleven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and numerous friends and former co-workers who will miss her wit and insight.
Memorials may be made to Friends of Animals, #1 Championship Drive, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 7th, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m., at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street. Burial will follow in Rest Hills Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Roger Gay, Frank Griffin, Greg Deaton, Brian Woods, Bo Hagar, and Robert Lusk.
Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .