Merva Bailey Ward Obituary (1915 - 2010)

Merva Bailey Ward NORTH OGDEN - Our beloved mother, Merva Bailey Stephens Ward, 94, passed away on March 17, 2010, of causes incident to old age. She was born May 10, 1915 to Luther and Maggie Bailey. Merva married Earl James Stephens Sept 22, 1937, in the Salt Lake Temple. They had 7 children and were later divorced. She married Harold L. Ward in December 1963. Merva attended Weber High School and Weber Academy. She was a member of the North Ogden 9th Ward where she served in many capacities over the years. She was the organizer and director of the "Choralaires" at the Defense Depot in Ogden. All who knew her knew of her love for music. She was trained at the piano in classical music. She enjoyed teaching her great-grandchildren the piano and taught them up to November 2008. She left us a legacy of honesty, love, faith in Heavenly Father and of the importance of genealogical research. As her children, we knew she had a deep love and gratitude for our Lord and Savior. She taught us always to serve and love Him. If we could give her a motto it would be as Joshua of old, ". . . but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." She is survived by 4 daughters, Merva Ruth Gunnels (Jim) of Carlin, Nevada, Evelyn Sportsman, of Ogden, Nola Eaton (Dan) of West Haven, and Marilyn Stephens-Burton (Gordon) of No. Ogden; 3 sons, James Stephens of Ogden, John Stephens (Mona) of Orderville, and Gene Earl Stephens (Cathy) of Farr West; 2 stepsons, Steven Ward (Sheryl) and James Ward (Carolyn); 41 grandchildren; 106 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Nelba Stimpson and Marjorie Beus; 2 brothers, Myrl K. Bailey (Evie) and D. Clare Bailey (Ruth). She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold L. Ward, her mother and father, a brother, Merwin; 2 sisters, Vaudois and Clois; 3 brothers-in-law, Richard Douglas, Jay Beus, and Lester Stimpson; and 4 grandchildren, Merva Ann Gunnels, George B. Kemple, Jr., Anthony Earl Stephens-Moran, and Todd Lyle Taylor. Her last words to each of her children were to stay close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We love you Mom and anticipate being reunited with you! Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the North Ogden 9th Ward, 205 East Elberta Dr., North Ogden. There will be a viewing on Friday, March 19, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden and on Saturday prior to the services, at the church from 9:40-10:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Ben Lomond Cemetery. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden 100 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 March 19, 2010 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceNorth Ogden 9th Ward 205 East Elberta Dr. North Ogden, UT March 20, 2010 11:00 AM CemeteryBen Lomond Cemetery 526 East 2850 No North Ogden, UT 84414 March 20, 2010