Gillis B. Ward

Gillis Bartholmey Ward, 68, died on July 6, 2017, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on July 16, 1948, in Seattle, Washington, and was predeceased by her parents, Edmund and Mary Taft Bartholmey, and niece, Kelly Brenner. She is survived by her precious daughter, Alyson, whom she loved with all her heart. Also surviving her are sisters, Carol Graham (Grimsley) and Jane Brenner (Tim) and brothers, Buz Bartholmey and Bob Bartholmey (Kathy) and loving nephews and nieces, Jay Bartholmey (Amber), Billy Bartholmey, Andrew Bartholmey, Jonathon Bartholmey (Shelley), Michael Bartholmey, April Bartholmey, Jennifer Bartholmey, Peter Bartholmey, Timothy Brenner, Liz Rose (Mark), Jeffrey Graham (Reta), Andrew Graham (Donna), and loving great nephews and nieces, Dakota, Layla, and Olivia Bartholmey, Acacia and Azaylia Rose, and Finlay and Ada Graham. Fun-loving Gillis was the classic favorite aunt. Gillis devoted her life's work to the education of deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. She began her career in the early 70's as a teacher for the Arkansas School for the Deaf. She next worked in deaf education for the Little Rock School District and finished her career in the Early Childhood Development program at the School for the Deaf where she trained educators who worked with parents of deaf or hard of hearing children. As a published trainer, she touched the lives of thousands of families. Gillis, predictably, also volunteered widely. She was instrumental in growing the Silent Sunday fundraiser for the deaf and hard of hearing, serving as the director of the event for several years. She was a founding volunteer for the Clinton Presidential Library and regularly volunteered for KUAR fund drives and for Stew Pot, the Little Rock organization that feeds the homeless. With her big heart, gentle soul, and wonderful sense of humor, Gillis drew people to her. She maintained a deep and abiding relationship with a group of friends she had met in her college days at ASU, Jonesboro. She was envied for her circle of friends, who were often at her bedside in the final days. Gillis loved animals and left behind her beloved dog, Ozzie, so in lieu of flowers, a donation to AR Hands and Voices (P.O. Box 512, Conway, Ark. 72203) or Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals (CARE) would be appreciated. A memorial service will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 3 p.m. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com