Rose Lee Marshall Ward

Funeral services for Rose Lee Marshall Ward, 87, of Lufkin will be held Friday, February 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Fr. Francis O’Dowd officiating. Interment will follow in Whitehouse Cemetery.

Rose was born March 12, 1936 in Orange, Texas to the late Mary (LaRussa) and Van Marshall, and died Saturday, February 17, 2024 at her home.

Rose attended school in Orange, Texas and was a proud member of the band until her mother discovered they had out of town games she would be expected to attend - her bugle playing days were cut short. She married George on January 23, 1953. They began their family in Orange with the birth of their son, Robert Ward. Their daughter, Theda Ward Moseley, was born soon after moving to Lufkin for work at the new Southland Paper Mill. Daughter Sharon Ward soon followed and surprise surprise, 18 years later the apple of their eyes, Christopher Chad Ward, came along.

More than anything, Rose’s gift to all was her spirit of service. She was a member of the Ladies Guild at St. Patrick Catholic Church, the Altar Society, and the ever popular 60 club. She was one of the original “Church Ladies”. She loved cleaning the church with a group of ladies that managed to find time to have lunch afterward and developed some of her strongest friendships.

She had a love for family and friends but most of all she loved baking, and the feedback that came from her creations. If someone even mentioned having a hangnail you would find her baking that same day for them. Her love of baking spilled over into her services at church, and she took great pleasure in spoiling the priests and nuns at the Monastery with her sweets. Tell her you couldn’t have sugar and she would figure out a way to make it sugar free.

She loved her parents, husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters (affectionately called the Nuns), and brothers more than anything. Anytime she could be around them was a good day.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband, George R. Ward; son, Robert Ward; parents, Van and Mary Marshall; parents-in-law, George C. and Naomi Ward; brothers, Joe Marshall and Frankie Marshall; and sisters, Kathleen Busby, Betty Busby, and Frances Choate.

Survivors include her daughters, Theda Moseley and husband Steve, and Sharon Pagel, son, Christopher Ward and wife Lendy; daughter-in-law, Patrese Ward; grandchildren, Leslie Pate, Leah Jones, Jarrod Ward, Dustin Pagel, Kimberly Pagel, Jacob Ward, Andrew Ward, Tyler Brooks, and Baylee Ward; eight great-grandchildren; six-great-grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Freeman and JoAnn Tiemann; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Ward, Andrew Ward, Tyler Brooks, Jarrod Ward, Brandon Pate, and Greg Jones.

Honorary pallbearers will be Samuel Jones, Matt Barbe, William Quillin, Dustin Pagel, and Bryce Henley.

The family gives special thanks to her church friends.

Rosary will be recited at 12:15 p.m. Friday afternoon, with visitation following from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.