Melba "Deanna" Ward

Melba Deanna (Orman) Ward was born in Oologah, Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 10, 1939, to Dee and Zena (McMahan) Orman. She passed from this life to her eternal home in heaven with family by her side in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at the age of 83. She attended Oologah schools. While in High School where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team. They went to the Oklahoma State Tournament all four years and won the State Championship her senior year, 1956-1957. After graduation from high school, she attended Draughon’s School of Business where she graduated with her Administrative Assistant degree. She met Jim Ward and they were happily married on October 11, 1965, in Tulsa, Oklahoma and remained so for 37 years until his death in 2002. After she met Jim, he began calling her by her middle name, Deanna, and it stuck so she is known by Deanna to her many friends. She retired from Atlas Life Insurance Company in downtown Tulsa where she worked for over 30 years. Deanna was a loving aunt who knew how to have fun with her nieces and nephews. Some of her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, sewing, playing bingo, working puzzles, and playing card games. Deanna committed her life to God in March 2005. She attended church regularly where she sang in the choir and joined in activities with other church members. She always had her Bible out at her home, studying God’s Word. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Left to cherish her memory are sisters: Imogene Orman Watkins and Norma Orman, four nephews: Jim and Sheryl Watkins, Rick and Reta Watkins, Bob and Dianne Orman, Jerry Orman and niece Debbie and Tim Madden, as well as many great-nephews and great-nieces and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband: Jim Ward, along with her parents: Dee and Zena Orman, her brother: Norman Orman, nephew: Gary Orman and nieces: Julie Orman and Terri Orman. In lieu of flowers, Deanna’s family requests that donations be made to Clarehouse in Tulsa.

Tributes

Melba "Deanna" Ward

May 10, 1939 - October 2, 2022