Edna Mae Ford

A Time to be Born: On December 10, 1932, GOD would bless Isaiah and Dinah Loggins of “TURKEY SCRATCH”, within The City of Monticello, with the birth of Edna. God had already entrusted to their care Edna’s brothers: Archie Lee, Willie, Clinton (Jimmy), Johnny, Isaiah (Hump), Junior (Cooter), Douglas, Dan; and Edna’s sisters: Mary Etta (Mella), Elizabeth (Bet), Marie (Marrie), Ella (Sister), Lyda and Easter. Edna was surrounded with love and enjoyed every moment of being the baby of the bunch. God gave Edna special gifts: strength with endurance, love with compassion, wisdom with knowledge, fashion with style and laughter with the capacity to overcome adversity. A Time to Learn: “Everything that you do for the Lord let it be real”. Edna was a “daddy’s girl”. He encouraged her to learn and to take pride in her work. Edna graduated from Howard Academy of Monticello, Florida. Her father Isaiah, a preacher, instilled in her a deep love for Christ. At an early age she joined Shiloh AME Church, under Pastor JJ Jackson. In the 60’s she relocated to Kissimmee, Florida where she joined Friendship Freewill Baptist Church and served as an Usher and Choir Member under Pastor Aaron Whitehead. After the dissolution of Friendship Freewill she joined Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, under Pastor Remer Baker, Jr., where she served faithfully as an Usher, a member of the Senior Mission and on the Culinary Committee. Edna also sang in Choir #2 until it was dissolved. Pastor Baker recognizing her love and gift for cooking began eating Sunday Dinners at her home. Pastor Baker also recognized her spiritual wisdom and relied on her as a Spiritual Mother. Edna was affectionately called “Mama Ford” at Shiloh. Edna’s Prayers were heartfelt, soul stirring and powerful. Edna shared her ability to “send up timber” to the Master whenever requested, whether it was a church function or a family gathering. Edna was known to be one of most fashionable seniors at Shiloh. The beautiful dresses and stunning hats became Edna’s signature. A Time to Labor – “A workman is worthy of his labor”. When Edna became old enough to work, with pride and enthusiasm she worked in the Tobacco and Cotton fields of Monticello. Edna relocated to South Florida with her sister Marie and her brother Johnny where she worked as a migrant seasonal farm worker. Upon relocating to Kissimmee she worked as a Domestic Engineer for Dr. & Mrs. Claude Whatley. Edna developed a personal friendship with Mrs. Whatley; and when Mrs. Whatley passed, God revealed to Edna it was time to seek other employment. According to God’s plan, Edna found employment with Holiday Inn, where Mr. Henry Landwirth was the owner. Mr. Landwirth noticed Edna’s hard work, commitment, and the pride she put into her work, and she was promoted to Executive Housekeeper. Mr. Landwirth and Edna developed a brother/sister relationship professionally and personally so much so that when he decided to marry Pam he asked Edna’s approval. After meeting Pam, Edna quickly consented that Pam was definitely the one. The Landwirth’s and Edna developed a special friendship. After Edna retired at age 62, having worked most of her life, she found it difficult to make the adjustment. The Landwirth’s recognized their friend’s agony and offered her a position within their organization “Give Kids The World”. Edna’s friendship and position with the Landwirth’s endured until her health began to fail at the age of 81. A Time to Love – “Faith, Hope and LOVE; the greatest of these three is LOVE”. Through ups and downs, Edna blossomed. As a young lady she met and married Jack Ford. Edna was the perfect” help meet” for Jack. God blessed their union with 3 lovely children: Jack (Antionette), Mary, and Frank. God also led Jack to adopt Edna’s oldest daughter Betty (Hugh) Holmes. Edna also accepted Jack’s children Eloise, Connie and Elizabeth as her own. God’s love for Edna continued by bestowing her the love of 14 grandchildren: Ivan, Leatrice (John), Camysha, (Anthony), Hugh III (Tamika), Taurol (Mikell), Aurence (Jakita), Ivy, Shonve, Shanyyce (Joel), Sean, Frank, Jr, Jordan, Jack III, Janai, Bobby (Kelly), David, Renee, Laviece (Maxie), and Henry (Cateena); 18 great grandchildren: Craig, Aysha, Armani, Nakia, Riley, Natalia, Jacob, Jackson, Tylah, Rakyah, Arianna, Kesean, Amara, Iviana, Asem, Ezekial, Laylani, Sophia; 3 great great-grandchildren: Craig Jr., Lay’onna, and Alanah. God further extended love to Edna through 2 special nieces: Alberta Powell and Pearlie Mae Crum; 3 special nephews: Larry Jones, Wayne Loggins, and Napoleon Raynor. God also gave Edna the enduring love of 3 special friends: Minnie Duncan, Rochelle Roberts and Mary Frances Lately. She also shared a special love with her Pastor and adopted son, Reverend Remer Baker, Jr. A Time for Grief – “I have overcome the world…through me you have life...I have given you the victory”. Edna overcame much sorrow during the demise of her husband, Jack, sons Jack Jr. and Frank, daughters, Eloise and Mary, Father and Mother, Sisters and Brothers, and many other loved ones along the way. Without a doubt Edna was a born again Christian. She would say receiving Christ in her life early was her greatest and most life changing accomplishment. Through it all she learned to lean and depend on Jesus. She leaves to mourn Betty (Hugh) Holmes, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many sorrowing friends. Although gone but not forgotten, God saw fit to continue her labors as an Usher, a Choir Member and a Cook in His Heavenly Kingdom. Our younger women can continue to emulate her love, strength, work ethics, wisdom and fashion. All of these traits created in Edna a living testimony that many are in need of hearing. Edna’s favorite song was “Send Me I’ll Go”. Edna’s favorite passage of scripture was the 23rd Psalms; and her favorite color was pink. A Time to Rest – “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. On Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the blessed age of 90 years young, GOD led Edna safely home and wherever God led her she followed. To view the service via Facebook please use the link below: https://m.facebook.com/events/702361601430092 To view the service via Youtube please use the link below: https://www.youtube.com/live/79XGJZKlqg8?feature=share

Tributes

Edna Mae Ford

December 10, 1932 - February 2, 2023