Marguerite E Ford

Marguerite Elberta (Ross) Ford was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 15, 1941 to the late George and Eleanor Ross and went peacefully into the arms of Father God on November 14, 2023 just before celebrating her 82nd birthday.

In early childhood, Marguerite’s family resided in Columbus’ Poindexter Village, wherein Marguerite’s sense of community, family values and work ethic was developed. The influence of her aunt, Pastor Madge Jones sparked Marguerite’s interest in spirituality and eventually led to her baptism in Jesus’ name and being filled with the Holy Spirit. This same Aunt served as Pastor of Bethel Pentecostal Church in London, Ohio, where Marguerite became a Member, actively ministered as the church pianist and sung in the choir.

As Marguerite continued to mature in age, she distinguished herself among her peers as she took her new life in Christ seriously. It was noted that even though her family was first in her neighborhood to own a TV, she was observed walking through her living room and purposely avoided looking at the TV because she wanted to live holy. Once other families acquired a TV, all her friends watched the Lone Ranger on Saturday morning, while Marguerite spent her time reading God’s Word, practicing on the piano and becoming a proficient seamstress. Her sewing skills developed to the point where she was able to contribute to the household income by sewing for others. Eventually, because of that added income, the family moved to a better community. Marguerite graduated from South High School in Columbus, Ohio and shortly after married Mr. Boyd J. Burke and they became the proud parents of their three sons Gregory, Gary and John. Marguerite made sure her sons had a solid Christian foundation by keeping them in active attendance at the Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith under Bishop Karl F. Smith’s pastorate.

After the death of her husband, there were many high tides in Marguerite’s life, yet she stayed buoyant through her faith in God, dedicated to raising godly children and committed to her self-development both spiritually and intellectually.

She supported her family as a Finance Manager for the U.S. government nearly 20 years until she retired in 2005. Marguerite fully embraced retirement and was ready to begin a new chapter in life by spending her post-retirement years more fully devoted to ministry in whatever form. Since she loved playing the piano, her gift made room for her to play for many churches and affiliated ministries such as God’s Grace Deliverance Church, Seaborn Bishop, Pastor. During her tenure at God’s Grace Deliverance Church, Marguerite came to the attention of Deacon Robert Ford, with whom she had been friends since they grew up in the same neighborhood as children. While their lives had taken different paths, their friendship rekindled and after a period of courtship, they married in a lovely ceremony at Rhema in 2005. By this time, Marguerite had found her new church home in Rhema Christian Center under the leadership of Bishop La Fayette Scales and was splitting her time between both congregations.

Marguerite was just a happy camper at Rhema!! She loved praise & worship as it reminded her of early church experiences, was becoming even more deeply rooted in Biblical teaching and developing relationships, which fueled her desire to fully express her spiritual gifts of Exhortation, Helps, Giving and Teaching. All this led to the expansion of her ministry territory beyond the local church to the missions field. She went on missions trips through Hannah Ministries and with Bishop Scales to the Dominican Republic. No doubt when she shared all of these wonderful endeavors with her husband, he must of thought….I need to go check out what this Rhema is all about. He did, and soon after, their congregational worship time was shared when he joined Rhema also. While Marguerite was serving, she grew into a ‘Mother in Zion’ - willing to share wisdom from her life experiences, mentoring younger women and demonstrating true godly femininity, which served to model the quiet power of influence.

Marguerite truly loved God, His Word and people. You did not have to be a Christian or attending church for Marguerite to reach out to you. She never really met a stranger and was always willing to lift someone up with her beautiful smile, a word of encouragement and tangible acts of service. She carried God’s Word nestled in her bossom so at any given moment, she could give testimony of Jesus. Her favorite Bible passage was Psalms 91. She knew where the secret place in God was and the day before her earthly birthday, her Heavenly Father called her into His secret chamber to celebrate her new life with Him.

Though she will be sorely missed, her memory will be lovingly cherished by her husband of eighteen years, Robert Ford, beloved sons Gregory, Gary and John Burke; brothers George Franklin (Mary) Ross and Fredrick Ross, stepdaughter Lugina Ford, granddaughter Keyonna Dotson and Great- Grandsons; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, very close friends: Marguerite Cobb, Linda Preskar, Susan (Ralph) Ridley, Sylvia Robinson (cousin), Eileen Thier, Rita Yancy and two spiritual goddaughters Kim (Carl) Booth and Dr. Deveonne (Dr. David) Brackman.

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