Retha L. (Clark) Ward, 94, of Poplar Bluff, MO, formerly of Greenville, MO, passed away Saturday, July 13, 2019, at Oakdale Assisted Living in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Ward was born October 4, 1924, in Greenville, to Lee and Ollie (Bollinger) Clark. She married Frank Ward on December 24, 1943. In her younger years, Retha enjoyed camping, traveling and the outdoors. Retha and Frank owned and operated Ward's Café in Greenville for many years before moving to St. Louis where she worked at McDonald Douglas. With an enthusiasm to help others, she went to work at the Wayne County Health Department until her working career ended. Retha was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church in Silva. She was a nurturing, social butterfly that everyone loved, and she loved everyone. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband of sixty-three years; a daughter, Donna Thornburgh; a son, Danny Ward; a great-grandson, Jimmy Stone; a great-great-grandchild, Archie Hankins; and brothers, Paul and Franklin Clark. Retha is survived by one daughter, Denise Schuerenberg and husband, Paul, of Poplar Bluff; eleven grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Shelby Gann and husband, Gary, of DeSoto, MO. Visitation was held at 5:00 pm, Friday, July 19, 2019, at Ruegg Funeral Home in Greenville. Funeral service followed at 11:00 am Saturday, July 20, 2019, also at the Greenville chapel. Pastor Gary Gann, Jr., and Pastor Julie Skaggs, nephew and niece of Retha, ministered to the family. Julie Skaggs gave a heartfelt eulogy. Music was provided by Emily Gann. Jack Thornburgh, Tony Thornburgh, Danny Ward Jr., Colton Ward, Jesse Stone, and Paul (Buster) Clark served as pallbearers. Burial was in New Prospect Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com
Service Details.
Visitation
When: Friday, July 19, 2019 5:00pm
Location: Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville
Address: 117 Oak Street GREENVILLE, MO 63944
Service
When: Saturday, July 20, 2019 11:00am
Location: Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville
Address: 117 Oak Street GREENVILLE, MO 63944
Interment
Saturday, July 20, 2019 | 12:00pm
When: Saturday, July 20, 2019 12:00pm
Location: New Prospect Cemetery
Address: Address: Not Available Silva, Missouri 63964
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