Mary Helen Ford

Mary Helen Ford passed away on Monday, August 8, 2016. She was born June 17, 1924 in Jackson, Tennessee to Wesley and Pauline Crockett. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Charles and two sons, Warren Ford and Morris Ford. Having grown up in Jackson, Tennessee, Mary Helen attended Union University (Tennessee), completed three years of study at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated with honors from Oglethorpe University. She also earned with honors two graduate degrees from Auburn University. Mary Helen and J. T. Ford of Paducah, Kentucky, were married in 1943 and enjoyed 73 years of marriage. Together they modeled unconditional love for each other for all whom they knew. Mary Helen earned praise as a pastor’s wife and was recognized in church circles as an excellent Sunday School teacher and leader in youth and mission endeavors. Mary Helen taught English and Language Arts at the high school level and served for almost two decades as guidance counselor and psychometrist at elementary, middle and high school and college levels. In 1986 she was named Educator of the Year by Oglethorpe University receiving the School Bell Award. Mary Helen retired in 1996 with accolades from both public and private sectors. Always self-effacing and humble in her many achievements, she gathered many other honors and awards from educational and religious areas. She demonstrated leadership and administrative abilities while maintaining the warmth and people skills of her basic character and early career as a classroom teacher. In December, 2004, she and her husband took residence in the Lenbrook Retirement Community in Buckhead, where Mary Helen was soon elected President of the Residents’ Association and served five years on the Executive Committee. Officers and fellow residents credit her with effective collaboration with management, resulting in significant expansion and advances in resident services and amenities. Mary Helen and her husband, J. T., will always be remembered for their love of God, love for each other, love for their family and love for those who touched their lives and whose lives they touched. Mary Helen is survived by her husband, J. T. Ford, her son Tom Ford and his wife Pamela, daughter-in-law, Kathleen Ford and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Ford and one sister, Norma Pegues. Mary Helen also leaves three grandsons; Harrison Ford, Todd Ford and John Ford, two granddaughters; Mary Ford and Paige Ford and one great-granddaughter; Sophia Ford. She is also survived by her ‘adopted daughter’ Sandra Young Smith. A memorial service will be held at Lenbrook Retirement Community in Buckhead on Friday, August 12, at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory may make contributions to Wieuca Road Baptist Church, 3626 Peachtree Rd., NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326.