Ella Mae Sutherland Ward

In support of our city officials and the health of our community, no other guests will be allowed to attend the in-person event at this time. A live stream of the service is available and a recording available for thirty days, sign a virtual guestbook, share memories and expressions of sympathy all options available on the tribute page. Ella Mae was born on October 9, 1915, in Temple, Oklahoma, to Reverend Jefferson Monroe and Lula Christian Sutherland. Her father was instrumental in leading her to accept Christ as her savior at the age of six years. She was born into a family of twelve being the next to the youngest child. She and her family moved from Temple, Oklahoma to Walters Community and settled in Petersburg, Texas, at the age of nine years. She graduated from Petersburg High School at the age of sixteen years. She married Charlie Ben Ward on November 12, 1933, in Clovis, New Mexico, where the young couple lived until moving to Ropesville, Texas, in 1938.Ella Mae taught at the Baptist Mexican Missionary for sixteen years, after which she taught Sunday School at Ropesville Baptist Church for thirty-three years. She served on the board of the local Baptist Church of The Baptist Women’s Union and the W. M. U. South Plains Baptist Association for many years. In 2014, she received a plaque honoring her 75 years of service with the Lion’s Club of Ropesville.She attended South Plains College after her children were grown and married. She was a substitute teacher at Frenship ISD for ten years. Ella Mae, as a music enthusiast, learned to play the piano. She was a seamstress and made children’s clothing. Ella Mae also enjoyed working in the yard, canning, bird watching, traveling, and fellowship with friends and loved her family.Survivors include her children, Gerald Ward, and wife, Genell; Sandra Ayers; son-in-law, Jimmy Jameson Sims; seven grandchildren, Steven Sims and wife, Laura; Alisa Rae Collier, and husband, the late Kirk Collier, Julee Reardon and husband, Rick; Jill Teran and husband, Rick; Keith Ayers and wife, Jamie; Sonya Hill and husband, David; and Keila Ketchersid and husband, Tanner; fourteen great-grandchildren, Kristin Schweers and husband, Brandon, Shannon Ware and husband, Matt; Charlie Abram and wife, Ashleigh; Lindsey LeFevre, and husband, Brennen; Landry Teran, Amber Stafford, Ashly, Jacob, and Hannah Ayers; Hope Estrada and husband, Jeff; Kallie, Tye, and Rylan Ketchersid; Kerry Collier and wife Elizabeth, Kami Sutton, and husband Randy, and eleven great-great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Jefferson Monroe and Lula Christian Sutherland; husband, Charlie Ben Ward; daughter, Charlene Doris Sims; son-in-law, Ronnie Ayers; and great-grandson, Jeremy Ayers.