Mary Virginia Ford daughter of William and Eva (Wiggins) Cochran was born March 15, 1920 in Cushing, Oklahoma and departed this life to be with our Lord on August 22, 2012 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas at the age of 92 years, 5 months, and 7 days.
She was married to Austin Lee Ford on December 16, 1941 and to this union was born 2 sons; Ronnie Lee Ford, Max Austin Ford and two daughters; Marilyn Faye Dandridge and Joyce Gail Girdner all of whom still live in Stilwell.
As a young girl Virginia went to Union Grade which is now Cave Springs. She enjoyed school and excelled at both academics and sports. She loved to tell her kids and grandkids about how she started on the varsity basketball team as a freshman and she was just as proud to tell them she graduated as valedictorian of her Sr. class.
Shortly after graduating Virginia married Austin, the only boy she ever dated and the love of her life.
She was a homemaker until she began working. She worked for Wren Fletcher at the hardware store before going to work at the courthouse. After a few years she became Adair County Treasurer. An office she held for 24 years. When Virginia retired as County Treasurer in 1989 she didn’t slow down a bit. She and Austin began keeping grandkids and this really became their life. There wasn’t any place they wouldn’t go nor anything they wouldn’t do for their grandkids.
Next to her own family Virginia loved her church and church family. She was a faithful member of Guiding Light Church for nearly 50 years. Her absence there will be felt by all but especially by Leonard Asbill. In recent years as Virginia’s health and eye sight began to fail, Leonard had made it his duty to make sure Ms.Virginia made it in and out of service safely.
Virginia was committed and faithful in all that she did. She will be missed as a mother, sister, grandmother, friend and servant.
She was preceded in death by her parents; William and Eva Cochran, step father; Clay Blood, her husband; Austin Ford, sister; Ruth Worley and grandson; Vince Ford.
Virginia is survived by a very loving family that includes her 4 children; Ronnie Ford and Wife Dawn, Joyce Girdner and husband Charlie Dean, Marilyn Dandridge and husband Melvin and Max Ford and wife Karen all of Stilwell, OK, 1 adopted son; Blue Hothouse, 10 grandchildren; Gayla West and husband Owen of Claremore, OK, Rachel Ford, Brittany Ford both of Stilwell, OK, Beth Green and husband Bret of Cookson, OK, Sam Choate and wife Stacy of Westville, OK , Dale Dandridge and wife Monica of Stilwell, OK, Gina White and husband Brad of Ft. Gibson, OK, Matt Ford and wife Stephanie, Shane Ford, Laney Ford all Stilwell, OK. 8 great grandchildren; 1 sister; Charlotte Ford and husband Haskell of Fullerton, CA, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends also survive her.
Funeral services were held, Monday, August 27, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Chapel with Bro. Leon McDowell and Bro. Monroe Lowimore officiating. Interment followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home.
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