Frances ‘Arlene’ Keys Ware went to be with our Lord at the age of 82 years on April 3, 2024 after a difficult battle with cancer. She looked forward to joining her beloved husband Robert ‘Bob’ H Ware in heaven. She was also preceded in death by her parents Frances Alfred Keys and Edna Maud Bucklin, her two brothers Stanley and Melvin Keys, daughter Melissa Ware, and stepson Robert H Ware Jr.
She is survived by her son and his wife: Howard Lee Sockrider and Marianna Martin Sockrider MD, DrPH of Pearland Texas and her beloved granddaughter Laura Leigh Sockrider of Austin Texas. She is also survived by her brother Vernon Keys of Sulphur, LA, her step daughter-in-law Kathy Hodges, step grandchildren and their families, as well as other extended family.
Arlene was born August 15, 1941, in Beaumont, TX. She moved with her parents to Lake Charles Louisiana as a young child and spent her whole life there. For many years she had a cottage shop ‘Happy Handmades’ and was a skilled seamstress. She had a variety of other jobs over her lifetime. She always enjoyed gardening and was a gifted watercolor artist in her later years. She also volunteered at Christus St Patrick hospital.
Arlene and Bob were members of Oak Park United Methodist Church until it closed in 2009. She most recently attended St Luke Simpson United Methodist Church. She sang in the church choir and was an active church volunteer in many capacities over the years.
A public memorial service and reception celebrating Arlene’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on April 27, 2024 at J.E. Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Her family will begin receiving friends at 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. A private family graveside gathering will follow.