Mary Louise Ward
January 6, 1963 – December 30, 2020
Mary Louise Ward died in her home the morning of December 30, 2020. She was born Mary Louise Brigden on January 6, 1963, Epiphany Day, at LaBette County Hospital in southeast Kansas near Parsons. Her rookie parents were William and Esther Brigden.
She was preceded in death by her father, Bill, and is survived by her husband, Steve, her mother, Esther, and younger sibling, Martha. She is also survived by two brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, two nieces, four nephews, and four grand nieces and nephews. In addition, she leaves behind three "children" –rat terriers, Poe and Echo, and shy cat, Neke.
She was joined in marriage to Steve Ward on May 17, 1998, in Wichita, Kansas. After exploring life in a few other places, she and Steve settled back near Salina, Kansas where Steve's family lived. After several years working at a pharmacy in Abilene while commuting to their home in Talmage, Kansas, she and Steve moved to Edmund to be near Esther after Steve's parents and Mary's father had passed.
She was a 1981 graduate of Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Kansas, and received a BS in Elementary Education from Kansas State University in 1985. Some of her fondest college memories and lifelong friends were made while living at Smurthwaite Scholarship Hall. She learned to "grow and go with God" while serving on several short-term mission trips and was an active member of the Baptist Student Union.
After teaching one year out of college, Mary settled for many years in ministry work as a reading specialist at the Better Book Room in Wichita, Kansas, where her ministry of encouraging others on their faith walk was uplifting to so many. It was during that time while attending Westlink Christian Community church that she met Steve at a volleyball game between Westlink and Eastminster Presbyterian Church singles groups.
She loved worshiping God in song (and dance), hiking and walking with friends, reading Christian books, and writing encouraging notes to friends and family. She got excited about something growing well and yielding fruit from her garden, laughing, and telling jokes, smiling, and hugging. Worshipping Jesus her Savior in song brought much joy to her and those around her as she sang beautiful harmony in her lovely second soprano choir voice. Her worship was free and uninhibited by any protocols. Her child-like faith and enthusiasm were contagious, as was her laugh.
She had a fun, wild side that led her friends to do crazy and silly things without regard to what eyebrows might be raised. She loved to travel and meet new people and visit new places. She was a planner and a hard worker, loyal to the core, allegiant to her life partner. She loved her family and the "little people" in her life path.
In lieu of flowers, her husband and family request cash donations be made to Sante Fe Presbyterian Church, Edmund, Oklahoma. They also encourage everyone reading this to seek help in times of darkness when life seems too overwhelming and the light is growing dim at the end of the tunnel. Please reach out and let someone know your pain. We weren't meant to bear the load alone. The Lord desires we share and care — bear one another's burdens on this side of glory. Share with a Pastor, they long to hear from hurting hearts and can provide comfort. Seek professional counselors who care and can help navigate the rugged paths and slippery slopes. Family and friends are there for you. Reach out and know God doesn't intend for you to bear burdens alone. You aren't alone. God loves you and died for you so that you might live and by His grace in you, live for Him each day. Look up to the hills from whence cometh your help.
God the Help of Those Who Seek Him–Psalms 121 "I lift up my eyes to the hills–from whence cometh my help? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber…The Lord is your keeper; the Lord (Adonai) is your shade at your right hand…The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul."
Psalm 40 "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord (Adonai) and put their trust in him…I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord (Adonai), as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord (Adonai); may your love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me…may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, 'The Lord (Adonai) is great!' But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay."
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, January 8, 2021, at Sante Fe Presbyterian Church, Edmund, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of the Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond, Oklahoma, where cards of condolences can be sent and will be forwarded to the family. In addition, on the church's Facebook Page, the service is being live-streamed and will be available for viewing. Finally, Matthews Funeral Home website has an obituary tab where a search by name will provide a place online where condolences to family can be left. The Brigdens and Wards thank you for your prayers at this difficult time and ask for your continued prayers in the difficult days ahead.