Ellis “Babe” Ward

The wheat fields were turning golden when Ellis Marie (Adee) Ward made her entrance into the home of her parents, Milton and Myrtle (Bedwell) Adee on June 24, 1923, on the farm/ranch 5 miles west and 5 miles north of Boise City, Oklahoma. Being the youngest of the family of four brothers and two sisters, it was natural they would call her ‘Babe’, a name that stayed with her all her life. She passed peacefully on May 10, 2025, seven weeks short of her 102 birthday in a Stratford, Texas nursing facility.

​The family homestead setting allowed lots of room for the children to roam; hunting for arrowheads along the Santa Fe Trail tracks which were just north of their pasture, riding horses, playing antie-over and other inventive games - but you always finished your chores first! These were the Dust Bowl/Depression years, and she remembered them well enough, but preferred to recall family song fests, her Mamma’s delicious meals, yummy homemade bread and cinnamon rolls instead.

​She greatly enjoyed the Boise City schools, especially through middle and high school, graduating in 1941. She was crowned Homecoming Queen in 1940. Teachers and friends were special. Her first job was for a doctor and then a lawyer, and then jokingly stated, “I never worked for an Indian chief!” She worked in different offices of the Cimarron County Court House including court reporting. Her longest employment – 17 years – was for the Oklahoma Department of Welfare, appreciating those she worked for and with – many great friends.

​She met Sherman ‘Buttons’ Ward in the mid 40’s as he had come to the Oklahoma Panhandle from Tulsa to work with Pure Oil Company. At first, they were just friends, but on October 9, 1948 they were married in Raton, NM. They established their home in Boise City, where they enjoyed being among family, friends and neighbors. They were very active in their beloved St. Paul’s Methodist Church, and recalled their years there as being the high-lights of their spiritual journey. Ellis Marie sang in the choir for 40 years. The Wards were promoters of a church youth camp – Camp Billy Joe – and worked in a voluntary capacity there for 21 years.

​Ellis Marie was active in community affairs; a long-time member of the Boise City Music Club, as well as a member of the Cimarron County Art Association. She delighted to be able to take up water color painting in her retirement years, winning numerous awards and ribbons for her lovely art work, as well as flower arrangements. She also had a booklet of her poetry published.
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​ Sherman and Ellis Marie were involved in a farming enterprise titled Montgomery-Ward for a number of years until his health failed. Sherman passed from this earthly life in December of 1998. She is predeceased also by her parents, four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by 13 nieces and nephews.

​Babe’s early dreams for life were, “to find joy in nature and life each day, and to try to pass some of it on to others. The same is true of prayer life and concern for others,” she wrote. “If my list is too short, something is amiss. A blessing of my many years of life may be just a word or a smile to someone with a heavy load - to be an encourager. Most anyone can use a dose of that, be they young or old. Faith helps us to look up and to know for sure God is on the Throne.”

She wanted to be remembered for her love of her Lord Jesus, people, painting, and poetry. Her heart and roots are deep in Cimarron County. It is here where her story started, and where it is now laid to rest.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Henson-Novak Funeral Home in Boise City.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 19, 2025 at St. Paul’s Methodist Church of Boise City with Pastor Kim Mizer officiating.interment to follow at Boise City Cemetery.