The Ward’s family history in reality began in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. For our purposes, it started with a couple, Percy (P.W.) Ward and Bertha Paschal Ward.

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The couple met and wed in Pine Bluff, and to that union were born nine sons and two daughters. They lived in a community known as Jean’s Addition and eked out a living as Percy (Papa) worked at times as a carpenter, teacher, preacher, and a farmer. He also worked for a short time at the cotton belt railroad shop in Pine Bluff. The Ward Children all contributed to the family by working. For example, Lowree worked as a chauffeur and a farmer. Chester worked at the Nash Automobile Plant and also managed and operated, along with Mabel’s husband, Floyd E. Williams Sr, a Ward-Family-owned grocery store on Cedar Street in Pine Bluff. Mabel worked at the Pine Hotel. Bobrie worked on highway and roadway construction. Otis worked in maintenance at a clubhouse. Chester also was a boxer and he traveled to Seattle, Washington where he stayed for several years with his Aunt Geneva Miller, his mother’s sister. Geneva Miller was a Seattle Businesswoman, a Realtor, and owner of a hotel at 21st and Madison and a small grocery store on 24th near Madison. Chester worked in the store and also delivered groceries. He eventually traveled back to Pine Bluff to later return to Seattle with his Brother, Lowry.

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During the time the United States entered the depression years it became very difficult for the Ward Family to eke out an existence and times got so difficult that for several weeks they had nothing to eat but white potatoes. They were very thankful that Dad Ward grew them in his garden. As the struggle to exist continued, Lowree returned to Pine Bluff in the year 1933 to bring as many of the Ward Family as possible to Seattle in an old Ford pickup truck piled with many belongings. Along the way, the trip got so difficult that a number of the group had to quit the truck and catch rides on freight trains for the balance of the trip.

 

For a short time, all of the Wards went to Vashon Island where Chester was then living and working. Dad, Mama Ward, and the younger children left Vashon and moved to Renton, Washington. Bobrie and his wife Gertrude, moved to Seattle and Lowree and his wife Goldie. Mabel Ward Williams and her four children, moved to Washington State in 1934 traveling on a Trailway Bus from Little Rock, Arkansas. Her Husband, Floyd Williams, followed by means of freight trains. He went directly to Vashon to work on a ranch and moved his family there as soon as he obtained a place for them to live.

 

Bertha (Mama) Ward had three sisters: Geneva Miller, Tessie Hall, Maude Phillips, and one brother: William Paschal. Geneva and Tessie were already in Seattle, whereas before mentioned, Geneva Miller was a Realtor, owner of a grocery store, the Dunbar Hotel on East Madison, and apartment buildings. Aunt Tessie worked for Sears Roebuck and Company and in later years married Ernest Hall. Aunt Maude had moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and Uncle William Paschal remained in Pine Bluff and eventually died there. Also in the exodus from Arkansas, Percy (Pappa) Wards two brothers: Henry Ward and John Ward, moved to California. Uncle William Paschal’s Daughter, Helen, settled in Port Angeles, Washington. The exodus from Arkansas to Washington was now completed. The Wards who became residents of Washington State began to prosper.

 

The eleven Ward Children: Lowree Ward, Chester Ward, Mabel Ward Williams, Bobrie Ward, Percy Ward Jr, Otis Ward, Nolis Ward, Robert Cecil (R.C.) Ward, Roscoe Ward Bertha Ward Jinkens and Everett Ward. Nolis Ward was a twin to Otis, however, he died as an infant.