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Sandra B. Ward left her indelible mark on cherished family, dear friends, and her beloved church families in Harper, Fredericksburg, Houston, and San Antonio, TX. On August 23, 2021, she departed this earth to be with Jesus after 3 weeks of bravely fighting a severe COVID-19 infection in an LTAC facility in San Antonio, Texas. She was 69 and would have celebrated her big 7-0 in 2 more months. She lived her last years on her cherished hill-country property outside of Fredericksburg, Texas with her sister Cindy. Sandra is survived by her two brothers, Ronnie M. Bernal and Pete M. Bernal, as well as her two sisters, Cynthia B. Rogers and Patsy B. Keil. She is also survived by her best friend/former husband, Richard Monroe Ward. Having no children of her own, Sandra also adored her nieces and nephews, Stephanie (and David), Stephen (deceased), Bryan, Kim, Chris, Samantha, and her God-daughter Larissa. Sandra was born on October 7, 1951, to Pete M. Bernal and Dolores de la mora Bernal, in San Antonio, Texas, where she grew up with her 4 siblings. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1969. She then moved to Houston, TX after marrying her high school sweetheart, Richard Ward, on June 23, 1973. She and Richard bought their first house together a year later, at the young ages of 21 and 23 respectively. They were married for 20 years and have remained deeply connected until her passing. Sandra achieved a lot of success in the corporate world, despite lacking a college degree. She applied hard work, dedication, diligence, and an outgoing, people-first, winning attitude during her 40 years working at Cameron Ironworks, Enron, and Kinder Morgan. At the time of her retirement in 2013, she was in charge of Kinder Morgan’s benefits and 401(k)s in the Human Resources Department. She brought enduring integrity and commitment to her entire professional career. Sandra began dedicating her life to Jesus Christ in 2002 when she found her first church family at Bammel Church of Christ in Houston, TX. She was passionate about ministering one-on-one and bringing others to Jesus throughout the rest of her life. When she retired to Fredericksburg in 2013, she joined her second church family at Wild Ride Ministries in nearby Harper, TX, where she served as a teacher for adult Bible studies for 5 years, and also for the children’s Vacation Bible School during summers. She performed countless other volunteer roles for the church and went on several mission trips with Randy Clark Ministries.Sandra loved her family and had a God-inspired dream to take care of her two sisters in their elder years. In 2011, she bought 27 acres in the hill-country of Fredericksburg, TX, and had 2 more homes put on the property for Cindy and Patsy. She aptly named the haven “Spirit in Three.” Sandra never met a stranger and she felt called to be there for the broken, lost, and down-trodden souls who came into her field of influence. Many a time, she provided spare vehicles, nights in her home, meals, money, prayers, advice, and her ever-faithful shoulder to cry on to those in need. She was also so good and giving to all of her immediate family, and countless extended cousins everywhere. Sandra truly was one of the great caretakers of the Bernal family! Sandra loved cruises and traveling with her husband, cherished family members, and friends. And, while her achievements in sports were never much to write home about, she enjoyed pastimes in bowling, golf, and softball with friends and coworkers. Sandra was always a bright and gregarious light at any party and gathering! She loved people. And, she loved her cats, adopting many strays over the years. Sandra lived life intentionally. She was a longtime member of the Christian community of Kerrville Lighthouse (chapter of Aglow International) where she served 5 years as VP of Administration. Some of her dearest friends included the close-knit women in this group. Sandra brought a life full of vitality, connectedness, and truth-seeking to her family and friends. We will miss her dedication to bringing everyone together, her meaningful conversations, her playfulness, her prayers and deep faith, and her love for games, especially Qwirkle. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 11:00 am at Wild Ride Ministries Church, 20842 US-290, Harper, TX 78631. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: The American Cancer Society https://donate3.cancer.org/

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Sandra B. Ward

October 7, 1951 - August 23, 2021