Marjorie Tramel Ward

Marjorie Tramel Ward passed away peacefully on March 29, 2015 at the age of 89. She was born in Many, Louisiana on April 11, 1925 to Dr. Arthur B. Tramel and Eura Smith Tramel. She graduated from Many High School and obtained her teaching degree from Louisiana Normal College. She married Ralph Ward and moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas where she began her teaching career. They eventually settled in Lake Charles, Louisiana where she taught Civics at La Grange High School for many years. She was fondly remembered by many of her students. Upon retirement, Marjorie and her husband purchased a farm in Mittie, Louisiana. Some of her fondest memories were riding the tractor there and tending to her beloved cows. She then began a second career for the State of Louisiana surveying crops on local farms. She loved getting in the van with her dogs and visiting with the farmers, and she became genuinely concerned about the welfare of the farmers and their crops. Marjorie's husband was the basketball coach at McNeese State University, and she spent countless hours as the scorekeeper on the sidelines at the games. She developed a relationship with many of the players, and they continued to visit her until her death. Marjorie took pride in her yard and had many discussions with the priests at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church regarding parking, the bell tower, and landscaping. She spent countless hours studying the beautiful live oak tree in her front yard and supervised closely when the tree was pruned. She loved to watch her friends, Grace and Oscar, the two egrets on the bayou behind her house. She was a member of University United Methodist Church and Republican Women's Group. Marjorie is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Arthur B. Tramel and Eura Smith Tramel, her husband, Ralph Owen Ward, and her brother, Dr. Charley B. Tramel. She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Julie Tramel Dowden and her husband, Charles of Bedford, Texas, Clay B. Tramel and his wife, Karen of Coppell, Texas, Andrew B. Tramel and his wife, Penny of Southlake, Texas, Martha Jane Gormanous of Haughton, Louisiana, James T. Coleman, Jr. of Haughton, Louisiana and numerous great nieces and nephews. Services for Marjorie will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at University United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Chaplain Rob Walls and Reverend Charles Langford will officiate. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 PM at Fort Jesup Cemetery in Many, Louisiana. Rev. Elaine Burleigh of Many First United Methodist Church will officiate. Visitation Wednesday will be from 8:30 AM until the time of service at the church. Pallbearers will be Charles Dowden, Ed Ellington, Owen Thompson, Mike Hebert, Randy Broussard and Steven Branch. Words cannot express our sincere appreciation for Heart of Hospice and for her loving caregivers, Sandra Harris, Josie Simien, and Linda Harris who brought her such joy during her last years. Memorial donations may be made to Fort Jesup Cemetery.