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Mable Esther Rhoten Ward

contributed by The Hugo Daily News

Mable Esther Rhoten Ward: Born, December 13, 1913 in March, Missouri; passed away January 20, 2006, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

As Mable Rhoten Ward’s spirit entered this world on a cold winter day in December 1913, her spirit began a new journey on a cold winter day in January 2006. She was a true pioneer woman who was born to Jodie T. and Katherine Royse Rhoten in a log cabin in rural March, Missouri, by a midwife after her parents, who were farmers, traveled by horse and wagon from Kentucky to Missouri to live closer to her father’s family. While growing up in Missouri, her family suffered losses from the 1918 flu pandemic, but Mable survived her illness and ordeal.

She was an avid learner and older sister to her brothers and sister. After a few years, her family moved to Osage County, Oklahoma, where her father went to work in the oil fields. She continued her education, and after graduating high school at 16 years of age, she went on to Oklahoma A&M College, where she worked tirelessly to graduate within three years with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. She went back to Osage County to teach children in a one-room schoolhouse, a profession at that time that was considered very hazardous for young women. But, to her, it was her home and her love of teaching.

In 1935, she married her college sweetheart, Houston Everett Ward. For the next 20 years she started and raised a family of five children and moved with her husband living in Sallisaw, Poteau and Hugo, Oklahoma, before they moved to Stillwater in 1956. While in Hugo she was active in social groups, such as the local bridge group and the United Methodist Church.

As a 50-year resident of Stillwater, Mable continued to be active in her children’s education and the education of others through her activities with Bible studies at the First United Methodist Church and substitute teaching in the Stillwater public schools. She and her husband were active members in many academic groups and social groups at Oklahoma State University and business organizations within Stillwater.

They began a rental property business in the 1960s. She ran the business even after her husband’s death in 1996, until her failing health prevented her from handling the business activities. She has resided at the Renaissance of Stillwater since 1998 until her death.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, as well as a nephew, Warren Rhoten.

She is survived by two brothers and one sister: Elvin Rhoten and his wife, Dorothy of Claremore, Kenneth T. Rhoten and his wife Geraldine of Claremore; and Kathleen Thorpe Hard and her husband Bill Hard of Sherman, Texas.

She is survived by Dixie Lee Greer and husband Donald Greer of Hazelwood, Missouri; Lt. Col. (Ret.) Houston Everett Ward, Jr., and wife Gundi Ward of Larkspur, Colorado; Dr. Jewell Catherine Ward and husband Jim A. Brooks of Memphis, Tennessee; Marilyn Esther Ward and husband Larry S. Bonura of Richardson, Texas; and Dr. John Thomas Ward and wife Dr. Pamela J. Whitney of Raleigh, North Carolina.

She is survived by seven grandchildren: Vicki Greer of Tucson, Arizona; Dr. Jennifer Greer and husband Richard LeCompte of Reno, Nevada; Major (Ret.) Roland E. Ward and wife Kathleen of Yorktown, Virginia; Ute Barbara Baker and her husband Patrick Baker of St. James, Missouri; Kenneth Ward and wife Beth of Westport, Kansas; Travis C. Brooks and wife Taska Sanford of San Mateo, California; and Sean J. Sullins of Richardson, Texas.

She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Rachael, Hannah, and Olivia LeCompte; Audrey, Brandon and Chelsea Ward; Michael, Douglas, Caitlin Baker; and Ryan Ward.

In addition, she is survived by 10 nieces and nephews; eight grand nieces and nephews; and one great-grandnephew.

Funeral services were scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Strode Funeral Home Chapel, 610 S. Duncan in Stillwater. The family received friends at Strode Funeral Home on Monday, January 23, 2006.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to donate may do so in Mable Rhoten Ward’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central Oklahoma Chapter, 1 N. Hudson, Ste. 550, Oklahoma City, OK 73102; First United Methodist Church, 400 W. 7th Stillwater, OK 74074; the Renaissance, 1400 E. McElroy, Stillwater, OK 74075; Judith Karman Hospice, Inc. PO Box 818, Stillwater, OK, 74076; Oklahoma State University, PO Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076 or an organization of their choice.

Condolences may be emailed to strodefh@aol.com.

Strode Funeral Home - Stillwater.

Paid announcement.