Ashley Michelle Ward

  Ashley Michelle Ward, 26, born in Kaufman, Texas, January 10, 1984 to Eric Ward and Sonya Ivey Ward, passed away March 14, 2010 in Athens, Texas. She was born with Dandy Walker Syndrome, a rare brain malformation. Ashley continually fought through her illnesses here on earth and is now in heaven with a new body and no more pain.
  Ashley graduated from Mabank High School in 2002 where she was an active member of Future Home Makers of America, the school choir, Student Council, and vice president of TAFE. She was also Principal Mark Albin's student aide her senior year. Ashley was an avid sports fan who enjoyed football, baseball, basketball, and was a big fan of the WWE. She was able to meet several of the professional wrestlers and other celebrities, including Justin Timberlake, Wayne Newton, John Cena, and Pink. She enjoyed meeting celebrities, collecting many of their autographs.  Ashley was a loving, caring, and giving person who worked with the Angel Tree Program through the Salvation Army and helped her mother with their in-home day care, "Sony School". 
  Left to cherish her memory are her parents Eric and Sonya Ward of Mabank, Texas, sister Amber Kimball and husband Jason of Richardson, Texas; Nephew Lex Ward Kimball, who she loved like her own; Grandparents Bobby and Emma Ward of Larue, Texas; and Lila and James Lee of Mesquite, Texas. Great-grandmother Margie Ward of Paris, Texas; Special dog and companion Ranger; Uncle Brad Ward and wife Anna; Aunt Gail Crowe and husband Darren; Aunt Sherry Hogle and fiancé Kenneth; Aunt Vicki Griffis and husband Sammy; Uncles Ron, Jimmy, and Lonnie Ivey; Aunt Shannon Denton and husband Craig.
  Cousins Brady Ward, Cody Roof, Karah Gilbert, Blaine and Brooke Crowe, and, Zoe and Jake Denton; Godmother, Lisa Davis; Life-long best friend Crystal Steel, who is serving in the US army in Korea; Special friends Penny Ralfs of Chester, England and Brandon Hood of Mabank, Texas. Numerous friends and family.
  She is preceded in death by her beloved dog, Pudge; Great-grandparents Don and Lucille Blassingame; Great-grandfather Shelton Ward; Great-grandparents Lila Wee and Robert Henry Warren; Great-grandparents Wilbor and Jeanette Lee; Great-grandmother Ledell Lee Spears; Great-aunt Lola Mae Walker; Godson Nick Stone; and special aunt Sally Gilmore.
  Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday March 18, 2010 at the First Baptist Church of Mabank with Rev. L.H. "Hamp" Manning, Rev. Danny Cope, and Rev. John Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Mabank, under the direction of Moorhead-Epps Funeral Home of Gun Barrel City. To leave an on-line condolence, go to moorheadepps.com.
  In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to the Dandy- Walker Alliance at 10325 Kensinton Pkwy, Ste. 384, Kensington, Maryland 20895 (www.dandy-walker.org) or the Salvation Army- Angel Tree project at PO Box 602, Mabank, Texas (www.salvationarmy.org).