Oleta Joyce Ward

Oleta Joyce Cullum Ward, age 74, of Russellville, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 2, 2012. She was born September 29, 1938 at El Centro, CA to the late Jesse Ray and Effie Warren Cullum. She was a member of the Dardanelle First Assembly of God Church. She married Donald D. Ward, Sr. on April 12, 1957 in El Centro, CA. They moved to his home town of Clay Center, Ks where they raised their 3 children. In 1971, they started a business together, Wardcraft Homes, a manufacturer of homes. After their divorce in 1978, Joyce took over as CEO and president of the company until she sold the business in 1987. She then moved to Perryton, TX where she owned and operated All Star Video with her son, Doug, as manager. She was also food manager of Jack and Jill for 5 years. In 2006, she moved to Russellville, AR to retire and be near her daughter. When her kids were young she taught Sunday school at the United Methodist Church in Clay Center, was an active member of PTA and a Cub Scout den mother. Most of all she was a loving mother and grandmother. She was well known to her family and friends as a camera bug and loved to display pictures of her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Vernon Cullum, Richard Cullum; two granddaughters, Shay Lyn Ward and Nicole Hopson. Survivors include her three children, Donald J. Ward Jr and wife Peggy of Clay Center, KS, Debra J. Hvarven of Dardanelle, AR, Douglas W. Ward of Austin, TX; one adopted daughter, Kathryn Tanner (Ward) of Yuma, AZ; two brothers, Jim Cullum and wife Carolyn of Grandview, MO, Charles Cullum and wife Pat of Las Vegas, NV; four sisters, Thelma Cox of Lemon Grove, CA, Harriet Roach of Yuma, AZ, Alberta Gatlin of Pine Bush, NY, Madeline Cullum of Yuma, AZ ; six grandchildren, Johney Jay Ward, Mandee Webb, Stacy Rich, Jeff Wells, Adam Ward, Ryder Ward; eleven great grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M., Friday, November 9, 2012 at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, KS. Visitation will be held Thursday, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center.