Mollie F. Ward

NEW LONDON — A Christian celebration of Mollie's life will be 10 a.m. Thursday, September 5, 2013, at Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home Chapel in Overton. Burial will follow in Lakewood Memorial Cemetery in Henderson, Texas.
Mollie Ward, lifetime resident of New London, Texas, passed from this world Monday, September 2, 2013, at age 86, after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born December 26, 1926, in Tehuacana, Texas, to Clyde F. and Sallie Catherine Neeley Sealey.
Mollie attended school and graduated from London High School in New London, Texas. She married the love of her life, James Ward, after his return from serving in Italy, England and Germany during World War II, and she had been a resident of New London since that time. Mollie worked as a Rusk County Deputy Tax Assessor/Collector and bookkeeper for many years before turning her energies to public service.
Mollie Ward was mayor of New London for eight years before retiring at the age of 80. Prior to that she was mayor pro-tem and had served on the city's board of directors for 17 years. She had served as church hostess at London Baptist Church, where she was a member.
She and James had also volunteered with mission trips across the United States for many years. They were members and officers of Campers on Mission and Exxon Exes and had been active in Eastern Star earlier in her life. Mollie had also served on the East Texas Council of Governments for 19 years, Rusk County Historical Commission and as secretary to the London Ex-Student Memorial Assoc.
Recognizing a need and pursuing her vision, Mollie had been successful in organizing a board of directors, obtaining support and funding and eventually becoming executive director of the London Museum and Tea Room, which honors the victims and survivors of the 1937 London School Explosion.
She always had a thirst for knowledge and continuously attended classes and seminars that could improve her knowledge of city government, non-profit organizations and museums. She was recognized for 10 years of service as founding charter member of ARMA Ark-La-Tex Chapter and Records Management Profession.
The Overton-New London Chamber of Commerce in 1993 bestowed upon her the honor of Outstanding Citizen of the Year. She received the Wal Mart American Hometown Leadership Award in 1998, and Historical Tourism Builder Award in 2004. Also in 2004, Mollie was awarded the prestigious Yellow Rose of Texas by Governor Rick Perry.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, C.F. Sealey; and sister, Bobbie Ruth Presslar.
Mollie is survived by her husband of 67 years, James Ward; a daughter and a son-in-law, Judy and Philip Worthen of Mount Pleasant, Texas; daughter, JoAnn Jones of Hallsville, Texas, (and friend Jim Sweeden of Arkansas); brother and sister-in-law, Travis and Pat Sealey of Longview, Texas; sister, Thelma Jo Hays of Tomball, Texas; brother-in-law, Freddie Ward and wife, Francis, of Kilgore, Texas; brother-in-law, Horace Ray Ward of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Ann Ward of Henderson, Texas; six grandchildren and spouses: Tina Carver (Jeff), L. Mike Ward Jr. (Amy), Paula Mitchell (Gilbert), Jennifer Sorenson (Josh), James Chapman (Kendra ) and Shellie Cary (James); two stepgrandsons, Aaron Worthen (Megan) and Adam Worthen; 14 great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Pallbearers will be Josh Wahls, Zack Gonzalez, Kamron Ward, Scott Sealey, Marshall Sealey and Bruce Hays
The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, September 4, 2013, at Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home.
Online condolences are available at www.cottlefuneralhome.com