Clara Jo Ward…July 2, 1932 – January 29, 2016

Memorial services for Jo Ward will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Lamar, Colorado with Pastor Eugene Birt officiating.  Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Clara Jo Ward was born on July 2, 1932 in Gorman, Texas to Eulin L “Jug” and Hettie Ione (Thompson) Dennis.  She passed away on January 29, 2016 at Holly Nursing Care Center in Holly, Colorado at the age of 83.

Jo was united in marriage to Doyle Lawrence Ward and to this union, two children were born.  Jo and Doyle later divorced after 35 years of marriage.

Jo was diagnosed at an early age with Parkinson’s disease and was admitted to Holly Nursing Care Center 23 years ago.  She was an astonishing painter.  Most of her paintings can be found displayed at Holly Nursing Care Center.  Over the years Jo made many friends in Lamar and Holly.  Jo was known for her great sense of humor.  She was also gifted at writing poetry.  Several crafts that she made were entered in the Holly Gateway Fair, often times winning a ribbon.  But more than anything, Jo was a wonderful Mom and a gentle spirit which will carry on in Heaven.

Jo is survived by her son, Bobby J. Ward and wife, Gloria of Lamar, CO; brothers, William Dennis and Doyle Permenter; grandchildren, Nikki Weber, Doyle Ward, Carol Scranton, Jeremy Churchill, and Michael Churchill; great grandchildren, Dalton Brown, Elizabeth Walker, Jayden Ward, Isabella Ward, Ryan Cook, Travis Churchill, Evalyn Churchill, and Wyatt Churchill; many other relatives and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eulin “Jug” and Hettie Dennis; ex-husband, Doyle Ward; daughter, Judy K. Ward; and brother, Richard D. Dennis.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, CO 81052.

For more information or to leave online condolences, please visit www.valleymemorialfc.com.