Jane Carol Ward

Jane Carol Spurlin Ward, age 79, passed away on Monday evening, April 1, 2019 in her Primrose Retirement Center home, surrounded by her three children and their spouses, Melinda and Warren Knight, Teresa Turner and Alan and Holly Ward.   On April 19, 1939 Jane Carol Spurlin was born to Eugene and Alma (Smith) Spurlin in Fort Lupton, Colorado in the home where she grew up.  Jane was the third of six children. She is preceded in death by her brother, Harley Spurlin. Her surviving siblings are Harlean Smith, Bill Spurlin, Sue Spurlin, and Linda Anderson.  This lively family grew up in a small 2 bedroom farmhouse where Jane and her three sisters all shared the same bed. As the children got older, the whole family pitched in and dug a basement under their house, one shovel full at a time.  At this time, the family also added indoor plumbing, in addition to a bathroom and another bedroom on the main level. Jane graduated from Fort Lupton High School as Valedictorian and was a member of the National Honor Society. While completing nurse’s training and under the watchful eye of her protective dorm mother at Beth-El School of Nursing in Colorado Springs, Jane met her future husband, Wayne Ward, at a nearby evening singspiration church service while he was stationed in Fort Carson.  On September 4, 1960 they were married in Fort Lupton at the First Baptist Church followed by a lovely garden reception outside Jane’s childhood home. Her uncles convinced Wayne that local tradition was for the groom to cart the bride around in a wheelbarrow to make the marriage official.  Sixteen months later while Wayne was attending Iliff Seminary in Denver, Melinda was born. During Wayne’s first pastorate, in Elkhart, Iowa, Teresa came along. Jane showed her strength and confidence while raising her two daughters alone in Denver during Wayne’s deployment to Vietnam as Army Chaplain.  Upon Wayne’s return, the family moved to El Paso, Texas briefly and then back into a church pastorate in Dublin, Texas before settling in Pueblo, Colorado at Broadway Christian Church in 1971. Alan was born a year later, and the family has never been the same since. At Broadway, Jane was very active in Women’s ministry and Bible study leadership.  She developed deep friendships with many of the ladies at Broadway and enjoyed social outings and women’s conferences with this close-knit group. In the mid-80s, after Melinda and Teresa were out on their own, Wayne’s ministry transitioned the family to Boulevard Christian Church. Jane was a devoted wife and mother, as well as, throughout Wayne’s ministry years, a dedicated pastor’s wife serving alongside her husband, finding unique ways to serve the church and love the people that crossed her path. During this time, Jane enjoyed working as an Avon representative.  She also traveled to Israel with her mother for an experience of a lifetime creating memories that she cherished for many years after. Shortly after Alan moved out and Wayne retired from pastoring, the couple continued as very active lay people at Broadway Christian and then at Grace Christian Church. Jane also took this time to pursue some of her interests by taking classes in accounting and vocal music at PCC. Her acts of service include leading craft classes at a women’s shelter, creating and delivering advent gift calendars to widows, prayer ministry, leading numerous Bible studies and singing on the worship team. Jane was widowed on September 16, 2012 and her own health began to decline.  At the time of her death, Jane was a member at Grace Christian Church. Among those fondly remembering her are her grandchildren, Kendra Knight (Ben Wiedmaier), Andria Anderson, Seth Turner, Zadra Ward and Leah Ward, her great grandchildren, Layne Anderson and River Turner, as well as numerous extended family and many dear friends.   A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Grace Christian Church, 630 Broadway Ave. Pueblo, Colorado 81004  In Jane Ward’s honor, memorial gifts may be designated to Grace Christian Church Worship Ministry, A Caring Pregnancy Center, or Samaritan’s Purse.  Online condolences can be expressed at davismortuary.com