JoReta Louise Ward

JoReta, (JoReeta), Louise Ward 4.10.1960 to 9.19.2022

 Born April 10th 1960 To Gene  Sanders and Beulah Roper. She had an older sister Clita and a younger brother Nikki. Her parents moved around with JoReta living in several states. She would often talk about her favorite ones being California, and Colorado. She would love going to the beach. And that her time in Colorado was the happiest of her childhood. In the early 1970's her family landed in Augusta, Kansas where they opened a donut shop. It was here she meet the love of her life. A young boy (Butch) who's parents sent in to get doughnuts nearly every Saturday morning. It would be years before this relationship would be realized.

In 1975 she went to live with Hildo and Gertrude Terrones family. Where she found her sister Mary and brothers Freddie and Mario. JoReta was the 1st of many Foster children the Terrones's would adopted.

In 1978 She married Jim Myers of Peabody, Kansas. Marriage produced 2 children James D (Jimmy) and Joseph M (Joe).  The marriage was short lasting a little over 2 years. 

 In the early 1980's JoReta and Floyd (Butch) started dating. It was during this time they decided to get married. But it would be for in the future. Life and work happened and they had lost track of each other. But never forgot the love they had for each other.

As time went on JoReta found herself in Worcester, Massachusetts working in sales as she had before. JoReta had a great phone voice and was very attractive. Changing her name to JoReta Gregoire. But it was here she found her Passion getting a job in a coma ward. She went on to get a CNA, GNA and a physical therapist assistant license. She ran a rehab department at Nola Wood Care. In May of 1997 after finding Floyd again, JoReta decided she wanted to move back to the Wichita metro area to rekindle a relationship with the man she described as a love of her life, Floyd Ward (Butch). By the end of October, she had left Nole Wood and moved.

With this came stepdaughter Lina, grandchild Kiera, Stepchildren Rachel, Rhonda, and Jason Saltkill. JoReta work through an agency which eventually led her to The Wichita Children's Home. She worked mostly with the teen girls. Continuing to be a mother to many of them up to the end. Total time worked there was about 2 years.

During the 1999 thru 2000 many changes were to come. 1st she scratched a $30,000 Wheel of Fortune ticket and two months later a $20,000 Kansas 2000two months later an $888.00 8 Ball lottery ticket. Too top it all off the state of Kansas caught their own workers turning losing tickets into winning tickets while investigating JoReta. They said she was the first one to beat the lottery winning 3 top amounts in a year. The truth was she spent most of her winnings buying more lottery tickets. So, she won 2 more jackpots before the money ran out.

In late February 2000, JoReta diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable cervical cancer. They use what was called "experimental radical radiation treatments" to kill the cancer. In May of 2000 she was told the cancer was gone but she may only have a few weeks to live. 3 months later when she had not died a very wonderful doctor named William Kilgore stepped up to save her life and bring quality of life back to her. His efforts leading to groundbreaking medical research in the treatment of bowel disorders. He and God gave JoReta  an extra 23 years of life.  As the Years went by nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were added to the list.  She loves them all and they love her often referring to her as the Cool Grandma. 

 As she thanked God for her recovery feeling a little healthier the need to do something for money as money was important to her. She took her husband's ice cream truck out for the afternoon and evening. She found her new calling. When she was sick and didn't feel well because of her disability she didn't have to work. But yet if she had a few hours of feeling well in an hour of not and then a few more hours of feeling well she could go back out. This brought great happiness to her.  She became an Event Coordinator, partnering first Andy's Ice Cream and then Frost Treats. 

It was during this time in the early fall of 2010 Floyd and JoReta took a honeymoon to Arizona and then back through Colorado.  Everyone thought they were married. They never told anybody any different.) It was here in Colorado Springs that JoReta finally married Floyd, October 1st, 2010.  They did not realize it but other people were getting married that day because it was a binary number 10 01 10.  Floyd and JoReta had always dreamed about retiring to Colorado they thought it would be much later in life. However with the events of JoReta's cancer they decided to go soon while they had time.

 In May of 2013 Floyd and JoReta moved to Colorado. They settled in Fowler, Colorado.  Most of the time in Colorado is filled with good times. Visit with family members, traveling to spots all over Colorado.  She enjoyed spending time at Pueblo State Lake in the summers. On one of there many trips in to the mountains she noticed a motorcycle and rider off the side of the Roade. She helped him find his way back home. JoReta developed a group of friends around the area as JoReta and Floyd participated in many activities. 

At the end of May 2021 JoReta's mother Beulah Roper and Nephew (God son) Gene moved to Colorado. Gene on his own and Beulah living with JoReta and her husband.

 In April of 2022 her health started to deteriorate. The radiation was finally winning the battle. She still had a few good times left. Enjoyed visits with family and friends. JoReta did love her animals. She had many dogs and cats over the years. She was heard to say they were all waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge. On September 19th at around 4:20 am JoReta passed in her sleep, pain free as she had hoped. 

 She is survived by her 4 dogs, Reeces, Twix, Dutch, 3 years old (known as the triplets), and 6 month old Titan, her Husband Floyd Ray Ward Jr currently of Fowler, Colorado her sons Jimmy Myers wife Nikki and daughter JoReta Ann, Joe Myers and daughter Lily.

 Floyd's children Lina Ivey, daughter Keyera Yoho and daughter Jesse, sons Kyle and Darren. Rachel and sons Payton, Kenneth and River, Rhonda Saltkill, daughter Artaij'na (Tae), and Jason Saltkill, daughter Bella,  JoReta's mother Beulah Roper, and Clita's children, Garalee and her children, James, Shyanne, Daylen, Janamay,  Beulah (Bubu) and her children are DezaRae Garcia, Cheri Diggs, Clinton McCammon Clita and her children Logan, Kyle, Kory, Christan, Skyler, Caden. Shayli, and Nephew, (God son) Gene Sanders.

 Sister Mary and husband Andy Rojas, Freddie Terrones and his children are Tricia, Fredric II and daughter Caleb Mentzer, Rene' and her son Jordan Scobee, Richard, Cynthia, Michelle and Christina and her daughter Candice Zemen and her daughter Anna Beth.

Mario's Children, Matt Terrones (wife Amber, daughters Malley and Mia), Mike Terrones daughter Ava, David Terrones, Jennifer Love (husband Devin, son Jonah, daughter Sophie, Tim Terrones (wife Shelsea, daughter Sydney and son Theo). Glen Terrones Wife Brenda, son Brandon and daughter Brooklyn, Eddie Terrones Wife Misty and daughter Kelsie, Joe Terrones, Jered Terrones and wife Joslyn, and extended family, and Derek Terrones. And her extended group of family and friends.

Celebration of her life 11/19/2022 arrive noonish, covered dish starting at 12:30.  Elks Lodge 121 E Pine Ave, El Dorado, KS.  All are welcome.

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