Gara is survived by her husband of six decades, Joseph Edward Ward; her children, Hal Ward (Jane); Laurel Ward; Liesl Ward Harris (John); grandchildren Chloe Ward, Isaac Ward, Kye Winn, and Matthew Winn; sister, Karen Sullivan, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
When Gara’s oldest niece could not say “Gara,” she called her Gay Gay, which is the affectionate nickname she was called by family members ever since.
When Gara’s oldest niece could not say “Gara,” she called her Gay Gay, which is the affectionate nickname she was called by family members ever since.
Gara was preceded in death by her parents, Claude Ezell Lovorn and Lavada Ryals Lovorn, and her siblings, William Lovorn, Jesse Tilden Lovorn, and John Lovorn.
Gara graduated from Clark Community College, Blue Mountain College, and the University of Alabama at Huntsville. She had a long, distinguished career teaching British literature at Grissom High School. If you hear a middle-aged person in Huntsville reciting the prologue to
The Canterbury Tales or Antony’s “Friends, Romans, countrymen” speech from Julius Caesar, chances are that person had Mrs. Ward as an English teacher! Gara was especially proud to be Grissom’s first teacher to achieve National Board Certification. Gara loved cooking, reading, and traveling. Because her son Hal's family lived in Spain, she often traveled to Europe to spend time with them.
Gara graduated from Clark Community College, Blue Mountain College, and the University of Alabama at Huntsville. She had a long, distinguished career teaching British literature at Grissom High School. If you hear a middle-aged person in Huntsville reciting the prologue to
The Canterbury Tales or Antony’s “Friends, Romans, countrymen” speech from Julius Caesar, chances are that person had Mrs. Ward as an English teacher! Gara was especially proud to be Grissom’s first teacher to achieve National Board Certification. Gara loved cooking, reading, and traveling. Because her son Hal's family lived in Spain, she often traveled to Europe to spend time with them.
While she will be remembered for being both the most wonderful mother in the world and a life-changing teacher for her students, she will most be remembered for her kindness, gentleness, and love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She taught her children to recite her favorite verse of scripture, Philippians 4: 8, which reads:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
While we miss her terribly, we rejoice over a life well-lived, and we look forward to being resurrected in Christ with our precious wife, mother, sister, aunt, and teacher.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church, 1306 Cannstatt Drive SE in Huntsville, AL with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.