Genevieve Stephania "Jean" Ward

GENEVIEVE STEPHANIA (PICHA) WARD (JEAN) age 88, passed away peacefully at her home Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Genevieve Stephania (Picha) Ward was born to John Joe and Margaret (Martha) Agnes (Grones) Picha in West, Texas on December 26, 1937. She was the fourth child, the first girl in a family of five brothers and her sister. A close Czech Catholic raised in farm life, she graduated from Abbott High School in 1957. She started her career as a messenger/teletype operator for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas.

She met the love of her life, Rasie V. Ward, a serviceman with the U.S. Air Force at the NCO Club at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. They married in Tarrant County, July 6, 1959. In 1964, they welcomed their son, John Beeman Ward. Jean continued her career and followed Rasie to many military bases in the U.S. until they eventually settled in Weatherford, Texas. Jean continued to work as they raised their son, not only bookkeeping for the several Texaco gas stations they owned after his retirement from the service, but also working for the Parker County Courthouse as the court reporter and district clerk. In 1989, she joined Bennetts Office Supply as the office manager and worked there until she retired in 2022.

After her beloved Rasie's passing in 2001, Jean re-embraced her faith in the Catholic Church. She travelled extensively with her church group through Europe and had a wonderful time and made many new friends. After her retirement, she moved up to the family property in Palo Pinto, Texas where she enjoyed the country life again, feeding her birds, and several "critters" she left food for, (there's a good coon story there) helped John feed cattle, did a little gardening, and enjoyed visiting with neighbors. She loved garage sales buying and selling, Jean could haggle with the best of them. She also loved collecting things...tea pots, beanie babies, power rangers, stamps, and coins.

Jean never met a stranger, as evident by conversations we have had by people shocked and saddened by her passing. Everyone stated how friendly she was and how much they enjoyed her company.

She was preceded in death by her lifelong love and husband, Rasie V. Ward; both her parents, John Joe, (d) and Margaret Agnes (Martha) Picha, (d); her big brothers, Felix (d) (Bernice) Picha, and Albin (d) (Patsy) (d) Picha; little sister, Margaret (Picha) (d) (Jack) Featherston.

Jean is survived by her son, John Beeman Ward, (Sheree); her big brother, George (Gladys) (d) Picha, and her little brother, Robert (JoAnn) Picha. She is survived by many cousins, too many nieces and nephews to list, and that is a good thing.

Her name will live on in stories and memories, and her absence will be felt at family gatherings—not only because she was cherished, but also because she took the secret sauerkraut recipe with her.

Memorial Mass: 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2026, St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1802 Bethel Road, Weatherford, with a Celebration of Jean's Life to follow.

Private Inurnment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to the VFW, or Wounded Warriors Foundation.