Evelyn Turner Ford

It is with deepest sympathy Godfrey Funeral Home announces Mrs. Evelyn Turner Ford, age 88, departed this life Sunday, December 17, 2017, at her residence.

Evelyn Turner Ford is the seventh child of ten children, born to Aubrey Wilson Turner and Letitia Vaughn Bonner Turner, the year of the great depression, November 20, 1929, in Anniston, AL.

The entire Turner family grew up in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where
her father was a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent.

Evelyn graduated Valedictorian of her class from Cobb High School, in
Anniston. She began her college studies at Spelman College, as a
History/English major. She completed her under-graduate degree, at
Spelman, in 1952. During a visit to Valdosta, GA, Evelyn met John H. Ford, at a Dasher High School basketball game. They met again in Detroit, MI, and married a year later, in Anniston, AL. She and John went on to take graduate courses in Education at Florida A&M University (FAMU). They were married 59 years, until his death in 2014.

Evelyn always believed in the importance of Education. She has been a well-respected teacher, having taught high school and elementary school children for 38 years. As a teacher, she was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award and served during this time as one of the Girl Scout Troop Leaders in Valdosta.

Although retired, Mrs. Ford maintained an active lifestyle. She remained dedicated in support of education as an active member of the Southside Library Boosters, an Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, and active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was the 1999 Recipient of the City of Valdosta Award for Contributions in Education (Juneteenth Celebration).

She has served as an active member of Antioch Baptist Church since 1959, where she was Financial Secretary for 17 years. Over the years at Antioch she was a Sunday School Teacher; Assistant Sunday School Superintendent; Bible School Teacher; Easter and Christmas program worker; Tutorial service teacher; Church announcer; and Funeral program arranger.

Her pride and joy has been serving as one of the Founders of the Southside Library. The library has always been a special place for her, where books are always a treasure. She worked diligently through fundraising efforts to help build the Southside Library by providing computers, books, equipment, supplies and
educational activities for children, along with Mildred Hunter and Doris Howard.

She has served on several other civic and social organizations: Treasurer of the Lowndes/Valdosta Retired Educators; Treasurer of the American Association of Retired Persons; Treasurer of the Southside Library Boosters; Secretary of the Bunche Street Bunch; Secretary of the Business & Professional Women’s Club; an active member of her beloved Jolly 12 Club; and Lifetime Member of the National Association of
Spelman College (NAASC). She believed in maintaining an active lifestyle each day. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, baking, walking, aerobics, reading and playing with her dogs, Barack and Jazz.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband; brothers A.D. Turner, A.W. Turner, and Jimmy Turner; and sisters Helen Turner Williamson, Margaret Turner Peele, Ruth Turner Slaughter, and Lucille Turner Bradford.

She is survived by her three children, Valerie A. Ford, John H. Ford, and David J. Ford; sister Letitia Turner Tolbert of Cleveland, OH; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

The Celebration of Life for the late Mrs. Evelyn Turner Ford will be held Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 2:00pm from the sanctuary of First Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

Pastor Albert Lee Barfield will officiate.

Interment will be held Friday, December 29, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to: Spellman College, 350 Spellman Lane, Atlanta, GA 30314, in memory of Evelyn Turner Ford, Class of 1952.

Public viewing, today 3:00pm to 8:00pm and tomorrow, Thursday, December 28th, 9:00am to 12:00pm at Godfrey Funeral Home.