Betty J Ford

Betty J. Cordell Ford went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday January 29, 2019 with her children by her bedside. She was born May 18, 1927 the daughter of Herman and Jennie Cordell. As a native from Yellow Springs, Ohio she lived in Yellow Springs till age 90 when she then moved to Beavercreek with her daughter Lisa and grandson and granddaughter.  In 1945 Betty graduated from Bryan High School in Yellow Springs, Ohio. One week after her graduation, she began working at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, as she was employed there the previous summer between her junior and senior year of high school. In 1949 she married the love of her life Paul L. Ford, and which in that union there were 4 children. After 14 years of service she resigned from Wright Patterson Air Force Base to care for her mother and father. Shortly after their passing Betty began working part time at Antioch College. As days went on part time turned into a full time service at Antioch. After 10 years she moved on to work at Greene Metropolitan Housing Authority, where she was a housing manager. After one year Betty was promoted to Assistant Director and held that position for thirteen years where she demonstrated a strong work ethic, until 1989 when she retired. Following retirement she spent time managing her rental properties, along with properties owned by her children and the Verneys trust properties.Betty was a very active member at Central Chapel AME Church, where she had been chairman of the Usher Board, and a 20 year member of the Trustee Board. Not only was she active in church but as well was a very engaged community member. In Yellow Springs she served on multiple committees and boards as she was also a charter member of the Victoretts, and member of the Retirement Set. Again not only was she mentally active but was also physically active as a member of the “Silver Sneakers” led by Lynn Hardman. Betty was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Jennie Cordell, husband Paul Ford, one sister Clara Janne Berry, and two brothers Russell and Carl Cordell, Sr. The late Betty Ford leaves to cherish her memory of four children Paul (Pam) Ford, Teresa (Ed) Rice, Mark (Maria) Ford, and Lisa Ford Qualls. As well as her grandchildren Matthew and Kristen  Rice, Austin Ford and Tyler and Hailey Qualls, one great grandchild Naomi Rice and a host of neiches, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of Betty’s memory, she requested donations to Central Chapel AME Church in her name.

Service for Betty J. Ford will be held Saturday February 2, 2019 at Central Chapel A.M.E Church, 411 South High St. Yellow Springs, Ohio. Visitations will be at 11:00 AM until time of service which will be held at 12 noon with Rev. Dr. John E. Freeman as the Eulogist and Rev. Dwight Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Glen Forest Cemetery in Yellow Springs. Arrangement entrusted to Porter Qualls Freeman Funeral Home.

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