Mrs. Gayle Valeria Ford

Mrs.Gayle Valeria Ford, age 80, transitioned peacefully Nov. 13, 2017 at The Hume Home in Muskegon Michigan surrounded by her family and friends. Gayle was born December 28, 1936 in Greenville, Mississippi to Emma Brent Lawrence and J. Wallace. The family migrated to Saginaw, Michigan during the automobile industry boom where Gayle resided through most of her adult life. She married her middle school sweetheart, Francis (Porky) Ford, at the tender age of 19. Ambitious and driven, she went on to pursue her education at Bay City Junior College while Porky fulfilled his military commitment. She would later go away to school at Adrian College to pursue a degree in elementary education. After obtaining her degree, Gayle returned to her hometown of Saginaw where she taught in the public schools for nearly 30 years. During the summers, she attended Central Michigan University and would achieve a Master’s Degree in Education. Many of Gayle’s students say that she was stern but an excellent and knowledgeable teacher. In 2012 Gayle moved into an assisted living facility called The Hume Home in Muskegon to be closer to Dee and Derrick. Gayle was known around the Hume Home for her feistiness and wit. She enjoyed music, church service, watching movies and completing crossword puzzles. Most important to Gayle was her spiritual walk with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Gayle often read her bible, had input in church service, sang, and of course played the piano. She would always discuss the importance of a relationship with God to whomever she encountered. It is in her church family where she became a church mother to many but in particular Stephanie Marion, Sandra Reyna and Zenobia Sims. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis Ford (deceased 1979) and loving mother of Tamara Groomes, Deirdra Smith (Derrick), Kevan Ford (Tasha), Ida Davis (Jonathan), and son-in-law Paul Groomes. A dear MeMe (grandmother) of Tiffany Collins (BJ), Antoine Groomes, Rashad Taylor, Emily Ford, Kevan Ford II, Josephine Davis, and Jonathon Davis Jr. She also had five great- grandchildren (Jayla, Bria, Mia, Ava, Ally). A special aunt to Eric Ford (Canciss) and Tacarra Ford. A godmother to Martha Delaney and the cousin or aunt to the five heartbeats that looked after her (Brenda Walker, Janet Hill, Rayunza Hood, Valerie Miller, and Stanley Brent). Gayle was also a cousin, friend, extended mother, mentor, and teacher to many dear people in her life. Gayle was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Ford; mother, Emma Brent Lawrence; father, J. Wallace; brother, Oliver Nutt; and sister, Gary Pulliam. Funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday November 21, 2017 at the Evans & Browne’s Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw Michigan 48607. Rev. Jonathan Davis will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 South Washington Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48601. Visitation for family and friends at Evans & Browne’s Funeral Home will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.

Mrs. Gayle Valeria Ford

December 28, 1936 - November 13, 2017