Anne Ward

Marsha “Anne” Ward, 78, of Abilene, Texas died Friday, July 4th, 2025, at Lyndale Memory Care in Abilene, Texas.

The daughter of Ralph Ewing and Ruth Webb, Anne was born on September 6th, 1946, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She attended McLain High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma followed by St. John’s School of Nursing in Tulsa. Following nursing school, Anne worked as a nurse in St. Louis, Missouri providing services for underserved communities for several years. She then worked for St. Anthony’s hospital in Oklahoma City. Anne moved back to Tulsa in the late 1970’s and worked as a nurse at OU Medical Center. In 1981 Anne gave birth to her first son Zachary Jackson. That same year Anne moved with her family to Laramie, Wyoming, where she spent the next seven years working in private practice as a registered nurse. In 1982 her second son Joshua Jackson was born. In 1988 Anne moved with her family to Abilene, Texas. In Abilene, Anne worked as a hospice nurse and patient care coordinator for Hendrick Hospice Care. In 1993 Anne married Jim Ward and the two remained together until Jim’s death in 2018.

After her boys graduated from high school, Anne and Jim moved to Delta, Colorado in 2001. They built a remarkable strawbale home together and enjoyed living in their dream home for many years. During her time in Delta, Anne continued to work as a hospice nurse and helped many families navigate the difficult waters that come with losing a loved one. She was truly gifted and passionate when it came to her work.

Anne returned to Abilene, Texas in 2014 where she enjoyed a quiet retirement along with attending her grandchildren’s numerous activities. She loved to bake her famous cookies for family and guests and hosting numerous get together’ s at her home in Abilene. Anne loved her brother Gordon and his wife Kenda dearly and always looked forward to their visits.

Anne’s passion was nursing, and she continued to help others up until the time of her death. Her greatest gift was the gift she gave back to humanity, her love of serving others.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Jim Ward.

Survivors include her brother Gordon and his wife Kenda of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two children - Zachary Jackson and his wife Carly of Abilene, Texas and Joshua Jackson of Eastland, Texas; two step children - Shannon Zink and husband Dave of Alaska and Darin Ward and wife Traci of Michigan and thirteen grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Wednesday July 9th, 2025, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, Texas from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.