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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Ella Mae Ford
Ella Mae
Ford
May 7, 1939 – April 14, 2016
Ella Mae Ford's Obituary
Ella Mae Ford
was born May 7, 1939, to Jethrow and Lillie Washington, in Deckerville, Arkansas as the oldest of nine children. She relocated to Lansing, Michigan in the late 1950s where she met and married the love of her life, Julius "Harry" Ford.
Ella worked for the Lansing School District before retiring in 1995 with 30 years of service. She has received numerous awards, including the Sojourner Truth Award in 1992 from the Greater Lansing Chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc.; Meritorious Service Award in 1992; Outstanding People Award in 1991; Director's Award for Community Service from Adult Education, and Mother of the Year award for serving as 7th grade youth leader from 1978 to 1979 for Les Meres; and Certificate of Appreciation for being a volunteer at the Lansing Project Homeless Connect in 2008. She received a Proclamation from City of Lansing for Outstanding and Devoted Service from the Lansing Community from Mayor Terry McKane.
Being in the right place at the right time, Ella received a telephone call that got the ball rolling in getting the first black president, Dr. Abel Sykes, elected to Lansing Community College. She was a Civil Rights activist and a stereotype breaker. She received her Associate's Degree in Business, from Lansing Community College. She was a member of the Coalition for Community concerns. She had broken stereotypes by graduating from J.W. Sexton High School while raising her family. She was instrumental on encouraging others to get their education. She was a member of Prince of Peace Baptist church since if originated in 1962, where she served faithfully as Trustee, Youth Leader and Greeter.
Ella Mae Ford was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2016. She was preceded in death by: her son, Jerry Ford; sisters, Ora Johnson-Williams and Eula Washington; and brother, Samuel Goodlow.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband, Julius "Harry"; children, Robert Washington, Jacqueline Bass, Johanna Ford of Lansing and Janet Atkinson of Raleigh, North Carolina; stepson, Ronnie Ford of Lansing; grandchildren, Meriah Ford of Lansing, LaToya Bass, Ulrica Ford and Jazmine Atkinson all of Raleigh; great-grandchildren, Tho'mon, Milan of Lansing, Malik, Mikye and Madison of Raleigh; brothers, Johnathan (Marilyn), James (Geraldine), John (Sharon), Washington and William Strong all of Lansing; sister, Willie (John) Lilly of Wylie, Texas; special cousin, Vernetta Edmond; close friends, Gene Merchant and Yvonne Harris; and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Ms. Ella Mae Ford will lie in repose Thursday, April 21st, 3-7pm at Riley Funeral Home, 426 W. St. Joseph St., Lansing, MI. Funeral service will be held Friday, April 22nd, 11am at Prince Of Peace Baptist Church, 3125 West Miller Road, Lansing, MI. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rileyfuneralhome.com .
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