Mary Ford

~ The Obituary ~

In obedience to our Heavenly Father...Mother Mary Hughes Ford transitioned peacefully into eternal rest on Tuesday morning, September 1, 2020 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Michael Watkins, in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Mary was born on April 29, 1926, One of eight children born to the late Waymon and Sallie Cooper Hughes, in Indiantown, Williamsburg County, South Carolina. Marywas joined in holy matrimony to the late Milton Ford and to this union three children were born: Gloria J. Marshall (deceased), Lorenzo “Nicky” Ford (deceased), and Sandra Watkins. She moved to New York in 1946 and returned to Mullins in 1978 to take care of her father. Mary  worked a number of years for the Marion County School District until she retired.

Since childhood, “Mama Ford" had been a loyal and dedicated member of the New Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, Mullins, SC. She was a devoted Woman of God, a mighty Prayer Warrior, who had a deep, personal relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Her favorite songs were “My Soul Is Anchored in the Lord” and “When We All Get to Heaven”. She loved her church, her church family and her Pastor, Reverend Felix W. Jordan, Sr. When Mama Ford met Pastor Jordan for the very first time, she said to him, “You My Pastor”. Until her last day, these were her favorite words and she consistently told him so. Mary was the epitome of a hardworking church member who served these organizations: Board of Stewards, Class Leader, Senior Usher Board, Pulpit Aide, Senior Choir, Stewardess Board, Harvest Hope Committee, Women’s Missionary Society, and the Lay Organization. She always attended Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, and supported New Ebenezer and her community anyway she could. 

Mary was predeceased by her Brothers: Thomas “TJ” Hughes (Claudia Mae), Edgar “Brother” Hughes, Sampson Hughes (Margaret), and Leon D. Hughes. Sisters: Her twin, Ida Hughes (Roy) Carmichael, Miriam D. Hughes (Thaddeus) Harriott, and Jean Hughes.

We will always carry her loving memory in our hearts forever: her loving Daughter, Sandra (Michael) Watkins; Grandchildren: Erika S. Gilliam, Aleta Z. Ford, and Jennifer C. Marshall; Great Grand Children: Lorenzo D. Ford, Brandon (Shaniah) J. Gilliam, Lysa K. Mason, Lionel S. Mason, Jr.,, Luke E. Mason and Kenya S. Marshall. Great Great Grandchildren: Isaiah Ford, Deasia Ford, Raediance Hammond, and Zahaire Z. Gilliam. Daughter-in law Lisa Ford Campbell. She also leaves a host of nieces and nephews, from the North, South, East, and West, other family members and friends. But we remember now in love, your life from start to end, and we’re just glad we knew you, As Mother, Family, and a Friends.” Thank You!

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