Mary Ford

Mary Dorthene Ford-Clark was born on August 26, 1938, in the Lapile community. She was the second of eight children born to the late Tommy Lee (B) and Eva Gladys Ward. She transitioned from this life on February 2, 2021, at Ashley County Medical Center, Crossett, Arkansas.

Mary grew up in the Ward Chapel Community. She attended Gardner School in Strong Arkansas. She was a member of Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church. After moving to Strong, Arkansas, she became a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church for several years. In 2001, she united with Living Word Ministry, Strong Arkansas. She was a faithful member until her health declined. She did whatever she could do to help the ministry grow. Mary loved traveling, canning food, quilting, completing word search puzzles, fishing, reading, and spending time with families and friends.

Mary was united in holy matrimony to Silas Ford in 1956 until his death. She remained a widow until she married Louis Clark in 1983. 

She was employed by Crossett Charcoal Chemical Plant for several years until the plant closed. Mary also worked at Warner Brown Hospital for more than ten years. She was later employed at Oak Ridge Nursing Home until she retired. 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Tommy and Eva Gladys Ward, one son, Daryl La Dell “Fresh” Ford, three brothers, Willis Ward, Willie (Wallace) Ward, and Thomas Ward, and one sister, Flora Ward. 

She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband, Louis Clark of Strong AR. Five daughters Loretta Willis, Strong AR., Wanda Ford, Strong AR., Lois Walker (Donald), Hampton, GA., Linda Ford, El Dorado, AR., and Ashley Ford, El Dorado, AR. One son, Harold Ward (Doris), El Dorado, AR. One stepson, Tony Clark.  Two sisters, Velma Fikes, Strong, AR. and Rena Ward, Dallas, TX. One brother, Charles Ward (Mary), Gary, IN.  Nineteen grandchildren, Twenty-three great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. 

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on February 13, 2021, at the Curry Chapel AME Church in Strong, AR.

Burial will follow in the Ward Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Mitchell Memorial Funeral Service of Crossett, AR.

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