“Darn how time slips away 
Life is a wheel and can steel someone who is a friend, turns around and it’s back again 
When the circle takes and does not give, leaves you alone again , your memory will not keep me warm but it will never leave me cold “
David Mahan 
Girl you may be gone but will never be forgotten

Still thinking of you, and missing you all the time. Rest well

Darn girl,  definitely missed, u left way to soon for sure, Rest Comfortably and know your loved and missed 

3 years my friend.i see your daughter looks so much like you,and your son becoming a great man.Miss our conversations sweet woman.hope you are smiling at your children and walking at their side.x

I never had the honor of meeting Arettie in person. She was my internet friend. We met in 2001 on a bulletin board site. Yet she was such a magical human being that even after all this time, I have continued to think of her often, and as a good friend. For more than a year, we communicated frequently. Her friendship, kindness, great sense of humor,  and endless wit helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life. Over the next couple of years we continue to correspond, though with decreasing frequency. And I want to say that hearing her express her love for her children throughout that time was a major part of her unique glow. As time went on, we corresponded less and less, but would continue to reach out to one another from time to time. I never stopped thinking of her as a true friend. A friend for whom I have continued to feel genuine love.  Now I’m learning of her passing more than two years after the fact. I’m deeply saddened, and feeling the regret of not only a lost friend, but also of the lost time. I think that I always believed that one day, maybe when we were both 90, we’d meet, catch up, maybe have some lunch.  Arettie, I’ve missed you. I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you. Rest well, dear friend. 

Always in my Heart and my memories of you are and always will be Grand  and “those memories may not keep us warm ,but they’ll never leave us cold “ 
  Keep shining on

I am so sad to hear the news about Arettie passing. I am a bit in shock and had no idea Arettie had passed until my daughter sent me the obituary this morning.
My first memory of Arettie was in, I think 1990….her and Jonathan were dating and we all went to the West Elm in downtown Dallas. I remember lots of laughter and fun with the family!  Jonathan is my nephew from my sister, Debra who we lost 20 years ago (tomorrow).
Another memory of Arettie Is when she was married to Jonathan and they were stationed in Korea, she was expecting Lisette and my sister Debra went to be with them for the birth of their daughter.
My heart is very saddened because when I last saw Arettie was at my sister, Debra’s memorial service in 2002. 
Arettie was bright, compassionate, artistic, beautiful and I always remember her smiling.  May God be with her children each day and may they thrive in adulthood!
Love and Peace,
Angela Tweedie 
5/21/2022


Charles, your Mother loved you more than anything in the world, including music. You and Lisette were everything to her. She was so proud of you both and spoke of you nonstop when you weren’t around. I agree, your Mom battled her share of demons but one thing they never shook was her love for you and your sister.  She could be difficult for sure, but she could be awesome as well and she cherished you both. Peace.

I loved my mom with every fiber of my being. She wasn't always the best, but I can't help but look back with a twinge of regret when I think about the relationship we could have cultivated as I blossomed into adulthood. I think about her every day: Her laugh, her odd sayings and speech patterns, and her endless passion for life. She was a truly beautiful and wholly authentic human being who none else can compare to. To be robbed of her so early into my life is a tragedy but I will always hold onto my fondest memories of her. She was in a lot of pain throughout a lot of her life, and I'm happy, to a degree, that she's now free of it. Live you mom.

Darn long year 
Lots of people have missed u 
And will continue to do so
Including myself 
Precious Memories though last forever 

Miss you Arettie. You will always be missed and loved. You will never be forgotten.  

We were great friends through music.  I've tried to contact her for months. This is horrible.  I'll miss you, friend. You are loved by so many. Rest in peace Arettie.  So terrible.  I know you wanted out. You told me! I'm so sorry to your family. 

It’s been almost 7 months now, still not one day goes by that I don’t think about you from the time I wake up till I force myself to sleep. Losing you is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me in my almost 39 years on this rock. I can’t put into words the pain not only that I feel but that which others are experiencing as well. You were one of a kind, you knew how to touch someone’s heart without lifting a finger. 
I will see you on the other side, that’s something I promise. 
❤️ Till my last breath, 
-Ad Hd

Life is so precious and so short, “a single drop of rain in time “ Arette Ford touched the lives of many, and I know that all that know/ knew her , miss her charm her personality and her greatly 
 “ when you take a persons money , in the end that is all you have taken,
  When you take a persons time, you have taken a part of there life “ d. Mahan 1984 
 Every single person that knew my friend Arette 
, whether you realized it or y’all , we , us , took up  space in each other’s lives 

   Thank you , Arette for making space for me

Though on the opposite sides of the world,
We met and conversed almost daily about life,music ,art, our children,being a parent and general life happenings.
Our conversations brought laughter and amusement,and I would like to think sometimes reflections of a deeper meaning to our lives.
I have only just found out today from her daughter she had passed,as I have been trying to reach her for some time.
I would like to thank you for our moments in time sweet articulate Arettie

And I will think of you fondly,and often.

May you rest in the Lords arms peacefully.
Love from Australia.xx

Wow , meet Arettie several years back by chance and something clicked, we talked every few months, 
  She even had her picture taken with long horn cattle near my home , 
 We were over due for a conversation, sadly, only now have I discovered why?
 Godspeed to her children and her family, 

Lisette, you wouldn’t remember me. I haven’t saw you since you were a little girl. I am so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. She was such a great friend to me back in the day. You and Charles were great kids and I bet you both are great adults as well. Arettie was the most unique person I ever knew. She truly lived life her way. Being around you really influenced me to adopt my little girl and become a Father. The greatest gift I’ve ever received. Love and Condolences to you and your family. I’ll never forget your Mother. Please look me up if you are in Chattanooga. Rick.

I have so many special memories with you. But must say staying at Paul’s last fall from August through the end of November was the closest we’d ever been.  It was just you, me and Siegfried in that tiny basement bedroom. Even though I could still go to my parents house and stay, I chose to be there with you so you and Siegfried never had to be there alone. You were so special to me and I still cry a couple times a week (down from a couple a day) 
I love you sweetheart. Fly high, because I know you’re an Angel up there. 

I remember her well when we were teenagers...so sad..  RIP... Shane and the Signal Mountain kids circa 1988-1989...

We were do young! We had our whole wonderful, crazy, l lives in front of us. I'll never forget all the amazing adventures that we all had together I'm so glad that are too got to be a part of that and then we got to be a part of her adventure!!! I will forever remember sitting on the roof the house of lookout mountain looking up at the stars in talking about boys and life and everything in between. You will be missed my prayers go out to her children and her family. 

We always had so much fun exploring Point Park from the house up on Lookout Mountain (and hanging out on the roof from her bedroom window !) Arettie had such a beautifully, unique personality. This breaks my heart to hear this news. Much love and prayers to her children and family, I know she will be missed.

Arettie was my roommate at boarding school. I have so many fond memories of her. I always thought we would see each other again. I’m so so sorry. This is a devastating loss

OBITUARY

Arettie Ford

1 March, 1974 – 9 June, 2020

Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Franklin-Strickland Chapel

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