Marta Ann Martin Ward

Marta Ann Ward departed this life on June 7, 2013 at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital in Houston, TX, near her home in Cypress. Per Marta's request, no funeral will be held. Marta was born November 9, 1959 in Rolla, Missouri. Her parents were the late Luther Washburn Martin and his wife, Jeanne Frances Reynolds Martin. She was baptized into Christ in Lawton, Oklahoma, July 1973, while visiting family in Oklahoma. She was a member of the West Houston Church of Christ, Houston, TX. Marta grew up in Rolla, attending the Rolla Public Schools. She graduated from Rolla High School in 1978 and later attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, OK and Angelina College in Lufkin, TX. During her high school years, she met Bobby Ray 'Bob' Ward, Jr., her future husband. Bob worked for Marta's father, Luther Martin, at Show-Me Electronics, located in Rolla. Bob, being a wise young man, had the sense to ask Luther if he could take Marta out. That got him through the door, past a highly protective dad. They married September 4, 1978 in St James, Missouri. Marta's brother, Kurt Reynolds Martin, walked her down the aisle, and her father Luther, performed the wedding ceremony. Her sister Judy, made the lovely wedding cake. Uniquely they married at the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, and no one seemed to care much about that choice of locations. That did not hinder Bob and Marta from having almost 35 years together in a loving marriage. They still behaved as newlyweds, enjoying 'date night', as often as possible. Marta followed Bob in his career and they at different eras resided in: Rolla, Missouri; Springfield, Missouri; Norman, Oklahoma; Alva, Oklahoma; Lufkin, Texas; and lastly in Cypress, Texas. Bob was the absolute love of her life, and he blessed her with two beautiful children, Natalie and Kris. Following Kris's birth, it was determined that Marta, Natalie and Kris all had myotonic muscular dystrophy. Marta had many aches and pains in early life and no one had been able to figure out the cause. This was a heavy blow to a beautiful family and it changed the course of the future forever. Marta's children and husband were the focus of her life, and she was a strong advocate for their needs and well being. She loved to cook, decorate and make creative craft projects as gifts for her friends and family. In her children's early years she was very active in the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Texas, assisting with several of Jerry Lewis's telethons. During the past few years, Marta made a strong impression on the people who entered her life, as a strong woman who held up to her challenges with courage and a joyful spirit. She impacted for the better, all who met her. This past November 2012, Marta's life was blessed by meeting her husband Bob's birth sister, Carolyn Pritchett Huelsing and husband Ken, their daughter Lisa Huelsing Cissel (Billy), and son, Daniel Huelsing, of St. Louis, Missouri. Marta spoke of being so excited about having new family members to love and cherish. Marta is survived by her husband, Bobby Ray 'Bob' Ward, Jr.; her children, Natalie Jeanne Ward and Kristopher Martin Ward, all of Cypress, TX; one brother, Lynn Luther Martin and his wife Marione (Derrickson), of Alva, Oklahoma; two sisters, Tara Lee Martin Calhoun of Norman, OK and Judy Jeanne Martin Doering and husband Harlan Doering of Tyler, Texas, one sister-in-law, Carolyn Pritchett Huelsing and husband Ken, of St. Louis, MO., one aunt, Margaret Reynolds Cobb of Brea, CA and one uncle, Carl Reynolds of Anza, CA. numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, Luther and Jeanne Martin, her beloved brother, Kurt Reynolds Martin, of Palestine, TX, and her aunt, Helen Eileen Reynolds and husband Don, of Chico, CA, and her uncle, Jack R. Junior Cobb, of Chico, CA. Memorial donations may be made, in memory of Marta Ann Ward, to the Muscular Dystrophy Association , PO Box 78960, Phoenix, AZ 85062-8960