Arther Lee Ward

Arther Lee Ward was born the second of twelve children to Arthur and Lueether Ward on March 3, 1936 in Grady, Arkansas. In 1951, he, his father, and brother Ted came to Bakersfield to care for his grandfather, who was sick at the time. In 1952, the rest of the family came to be with them, and so began his time in Bakersfield. He attended Bakersfield High School (go Drillers).

In 1956, he married, Mary Banks. To this union three children were born, Mary Elaine, Pearl Darlene, and Arthur Jr. He loved his children with all his heart and would do anything for them, short of committing a crime. The marriage didn’t last, but his love for his children continued. Art loved children and children loved him. Children gravitated to him, whether he was coaching a team or just watching the game. Some children even claimed him as their own father. Art’s first job was at California Car Wash. From there, he became self-employed as a gardener. The summer sun got to be too much for him and in 1972, he relocated to Los Angeles to work for Armstrong World Industries in the Southgate area. In 1977, he met Donna Jefferson at a swap meet in Paramount, Ca. and it was a wrap from there. They began 46 years of married life together. Because of his love for children, he accepted her daughter, Callie, as his own. He loved to experiment in the kitchen, but his specialty was barbequing ribs that melted off the bone and chili beans.

After 24 years, he retired from Armstrong and decided to become self-employed again. This time, after much discussion with his wife, he tried many different venues before settling on screen printing. The Arther Ward Company began in 1988. It was a challenge, but he really enjoyed making a mess with the inks and producing something someone would enjoy wearing.

He confessed Christ at an early age at New Baptist Missionary Baptist church in Grady and was baptized in Noble Lake. After moving to Bakersfield, he united with Pleasant View Baptist church. When he relocated to the Los Angeles area, he united with Christ the Cornerstone in Chino under the leadership of Pastor Otis Adams, where he was ordained as a deacon. The family made their final move, this time back to Bakersfield where he united with St. Peter R.C.C.M. under the leadership of Dr. Oscar Anthony. There he was a faithful member until his health kept him from attending. He was always ready to serve where necessary. He greeted everyone with a big smile and handshake from the fifth row of the middle isle of the sanctuary.

Art made friends wherever he went. His wife often said he would “talk to a tree if it talked back.” People loved to be around him and the feeling was mutual. Some people were there for a lifetime and some just for a season. But whatever time he spent with them, he treasured it dearly. He especially loved the time he spent with his friend, Sam Jones. Art was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Lueether, his brothers, Ted, Walter (Smut), and William, his sister, Eula, his daughter, Gloria, and his grandson, Dion.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Donna, daughters Elaine Haynes, Darlene Johnican, and Callie Jefferson, son Arthur Jr., granddaughters, Mekisha Buyard (Jamal), Mary Haynes, Lauryn Haynes, Nacoya Ali, Moniqua Sauceda, Stephanie Johnican, Lauren Johnican, grandsons, Fredric Haynes (Capricia), DeSadrian Robinson, and Tyler Johnican (Lucinda), Anthony Bonner, and Stacy Owens, sisters Fuschia Ward, Sand Day, and Freddie Ward, brothers, Ike Ward (Darlene), Robert Ward (Claudeth), Donnie Ward (Vanessa), and Kenny Ward (Cheryl), and a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.