Mrs. Ward was born in 1899 in Weatherford, Texas.  She taught at a few small town schools before arriving in Abilene in 1921.  Her first teaching job in Abilene was in a two-room school on North 7th street.

 

She married Forrest Ward, June 23, 1923, in Weatherford, Texas.  He was employed at the Federal Building in Abilene.  Mr. and Mrs. Ward were parents of two sons, Forrest, J. and Ronald Edward.

 

After teaching in Abilene Public Schools for 36 years, she became the Director of the Christ House Day Care Center for small children.  She served faithfully for another thirteen years and retired the second time before her eightieth birthday in 1979.

In 1971, Allie was presented, The Golden Deeds Award and honored as the "Women of the Year."In 1981, Abilene lost one of the very best of pioneer black school teachers.  She had given her best for more than half a century toward the education of three generations of Americans.

 

Mrs. Allie Virginia Ward's portrait hangs in the front foyer of Allie Ward Elementary.  Please, stop by the portrait and remember how many students she touched during her lifetime.