Opaleen Ruth Sullivan Ward

Visitation: Tuesday, May 12, 6 to 8 pm. at Wiley’s. Service: Holly Hills Chapel, Wednesday may 13, 2 p.m.

Born in Fort Worth to Overton and Lucy Sullivan. She was the oldest of 3 children growing up and attending Fort Worth Public Schools. While in high school her cousin introduced her to John Ward, who was on active duty with the Air Force. They were married in 1954 and were transferred to Bangor, Maine. The couple moved back to Fort Worth in 1955 and started a family. Her life was completely dedicated to her 4 children and then 4 grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as ‘Nanny.’ They raised 4 children in an ideal home which became the meeting point for all the neighborhood kids. Opal always cooked and baked making cookies, cakes, pies and other goodies available to all the kids. She was an avid amateur bowler, winning many local and state titles and also instructing youth bowling. The family moved full-time to their Granbury Lake place in the early 80’s. The lake house was, and still is the central meeting place for all family holidays and weekend family get togethers. Opal was the grand master coordinator of all events, forever overdoing all the cooking and hosting. After the kids were grown she worked for several years at Creations Day Care in Granbury, where she met many kids and families during her tenure. She is best known for her soft spoken gentle nature and sincere concern for people. Everyone who knew her considered her as their grandmother and she was passionate about family and friends. Opal battled with some serious chronic illnesses, being hospitalized in grave condition several times during recent years. She always somehow rebounded, stating that her desire to not leave the family motivated her many remarkable recoveries. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her bedside. The family remains very close to each other and her absence leaves a huge hole in the many lives she touched. She was preceeded in death by her son-in-law Robert Hodges, who considered her to be his mother and grandson Jonathan Ward. The reunion among them in Heaven will be an event of grand magnitude, no doubt.

She is survived by John Ward, her protector, hero and husband of 61 years; son Charlie and wife Bonnie Ward of Burleson; son Johnny Ward of Granbury; daughter Kay Baker and husband Garry of Granbury; daughter Beth Hodges of Granbury. Grandchildren Jennifer Ward Trimmier and husband Dustin of San Antonio, Mandy Baker of Fort Worth and Bobby Hodges of Granbury.