Ella Mae (Smith) Ward, 68, of Greenwood, IN passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, IN. She was born March 29, 1948 in Franklin, IN to Kenneth L. Smith and Wanda Mae (Burdine) Smith. She married Gordon Ward on June 13, 1965 in Lawrenceburg, IL, he preceded her in death on March 13, 2005. She had worked for various companies including G&H Wire, Nachi, and Specialty Connectors, retiring in 2013. She attended Life Change Church in Greenwood, IN. She was a sweet, loving and kind woman. She was a devoted daughter, wife and mother, and enjoyed spending time with her family. She attended all of her children and grandchildren’s school events. When her mother was in a nursing home, she visited her every day. Ella loved to read and passed this love of reading onto her children. During summer school vacations, she frequently took her children to the library. She also spent countless hours at the softball diamonds when her daughters were still in school. She had a particular soft spot for animals. She loved all kinds of animals, especially dogs, cats, birds and horses. Before her husband’s death, she loved to ride around in their Mustang and hang out at the Suds in Greenwood on Saturdays. Ella also loved the outdoors and spending time with nature. She loved flowers and each year would dutifully purchase and plant flowers for her mother on Mother’s Day.
Ella is survived by her children, Angie D. Ward, Lisa M. Lewchanin (John), and Jason Ward all of Greenwood, IN; four grandchildren, Joshua Whitlow (Danielle), Ashley Whitlow, Savanah Lewchanin and Rachel Lewchanin; two great-grandchildren, David Whitlow and Silas Whitlow; aunts Mary Inez Insko (Jerry) of Whiteland, IN, Irene Nolte (Bob) of Beech Grove, IN, Gladys Chaney of Somerset, KY, and Glenda Hibbard (Dennis) of Glasgow, KY; sister-in-law Judy Ward and special niece Ashley Hyden as well as a nephew, several nieces, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Ella was also preceded in death by her sister Norma Jean Smith.
The Reverend Charlie Cash will conduct a service Monday, January 16, 2016 at 1 PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN, where friends may call Monday, January 16, from 11 AM until service time at the mortuary. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood, IN. Online condolences may be sent to the family at wwww.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.