Vicki Lin "Sumter" Ward

Vicki Lin (Sumter) Ward, age 76, passed away on March 5, 2026, with her family by her side. She was born on August 22, 1949, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to Luther and Alverta Sumter.

Vicki graduated from Pawhuska High School in 1967 and later attended Northeastern State University, where she met the love of her life, Michael Earl Ward. The two were married on April 11, 1970, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with love, family, and adventure.

Vicki was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished time with her family above all else. She is survived by her husband, Michael Earl Ward; her two children, Brandyn Sullivan and spouse Scott, and Mike Ward Jr. and spouse Natasha; and her beloved grandchildren, Hailee Perry and spouse Jordan, Noah Sullivan, Hallie Walker, and Makenzie Lawless.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Alverta Sumter, as well as her grandparents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Throughout her life, Vicki expressed her creativity through many talents and hobbies. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, baking, woodworking, stained glass, painting, and writing poetry among many other things. In her early years, she was active in the First Baptist Church of Pawhuska and worked alongside her husband in his photography studio and other business ventures.

Vicki also loved to travel with her husband, visiting places that held special meaning to her, including Portugal, Bermuda, and France. She found great joy in holidays with family, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, and had a deep love for horses and animals in general. Vicki also had a deep belief in equal rights for all and was a fierce women's advocate.

Those who knew Vicki will remember her for her creativity, her devotion to her family, her amazing sense of humor, and her ability to ALWAYS speak truth to power.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Kendrick McCartney Johnson Funeral Home.

In her final days, Vicki found comfort in the words of Psalm 23:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he

leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he

leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and ty staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Vicki's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these worthy organizations:

-PBS Foundation

-ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)

-Jane Goodall Institute

-NOW (National Organization for Women)