Doyce Ford

Reverend Doyce Ford, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and faithful servant of God and country, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of his Savior on October 23, 2025, at the age of 90.

Born on January 10, 1935, to the late Lewis D. and Viola Cagle Ford, in Cocke County, TN, Reverend Ford lived a life rooted in faith, integrity, and service. He proudly served his country as a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, where his leadership, discipline, and dedication left a lasting impact on all who served alongside him.

Rev. Doyce Ford was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, a devoted family man, and a lifelong servant of both country and community. He lived a life marked by service, wisdom, and humility. Rev. Ford proudly served in the United States Navy. His distinguished military career included significant assignments with the Naval Ordnance Test Unit at Cape Canaveral, Florida, two combat tours with the U.S. Navy Seabees in Vietnam, and two instructor tours at the U.S. Navy Guided Missile School, Dam Neck, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

After retiring from the Navy, Rev. Ford pursued his calling in both education and ministry. He earned an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts/Humanities from Tidewater Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in History from Pfeiffer University. He completed a Master of Divinity Degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Doyce's post-military career reflected his deep passion for education and technical instruction. He taught Electronics at Colonial Heights School, Computer Repair Instructor at Kee Business College, and was a Technical Sales Coordinator, Meter Metrics/Fidus Instrument Corporation in Virginia. In addition, Rev. Ford was Program Chair and Electronics Instructor at Ivy Tech State College in Sellersburg, Indiana, and an instructor for ITT Technical Institute, Louisville, Kentucky. He was also Technical Trainer for OPEX Corporation in Moorestown, New Jersey.

In addition to his roles in education and ministry, Doyce was also a small business owner. He founded and operated the Petersburg Printing and Publishing Company in Petersburg, Virginia, further extending his dedication to communication, service, and leadership in the community.

He came to faith in Christ and was saved at First Colonial Baptist Church on August 5, 1965. He was later licensed to preach the Gospel at South Albemarle Baptist Church, Albemarle, NC and ordained to the Gospel Ministry at Glen Royal Baptist Church, Wake Forest, NC. Rev. Ford ministered faithfully as pastor in several churches: Smyrna Baptist Church, Dinwiddie, VA, Crater View Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA, and First Colonial Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, VA.

In every season of life - pastor, teacher, veteran, business owner, husband, and friend, Rev. Doyce Ford demonstrated steadfast faith and a servant's heart. His influence reached far and wide, and his legacy of truth, compassion, and commitment to Christ will live on in all who knew him.

Doyce was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and a former member of First Baptist Church, Staunton, Virginia.

Doyce is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Mildred Gail Ford of Verona, VA; his brother, Ben Lewis Ford, (NJ) and by his cherished children: Son, Robert Prescott Ford and wife Amber, of Jeffersonville, IN; Daughters: Cheryl Denise Frey and husband Kurt, of Brooks, KY, Darla Jane Strasburg and husband Dustin, of Jackson, TN, Denise Brooks Jeanette and husband Billy, of Hertford, NC, Diana Joy Olsen, of McMinnville, OR, Sarah Lynn Passaro, of Fishersville, VA, and Patricia (Trisha) Gayle Fillion and husband Chaz, of Waynesboro, VA.

He was a proud grandfather to Grandsons: Miles Ford, Spencer Lindenmayer, Landon Ford, and Austin Ford (all of IN), Codie Evans and wife Ashley (CO), Brent Fillion and Francesco (Chicho) Passaro, Jr. (VA); Granddaughters: Crystal Konz (FL), Cierra Lindenmayer (IN), Ashley Coble and Laura Chamblee (NC), and Kylie Fillion (VA); Great-Grandfather to: Zay Chamblee (NC) and Charlette Mae Evans (CO).

Doyce is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis D. and Viola Ford of Seabrook, NJ; Brothers: Walter Ford, John L. Ford, Earl Ford, Roy Ford; Sisters, Mary Jane Ford, Juanita Smith (NJ), and Jenny Holcomb (NC); and a grandson, Matthew Lewis Lindenmayer (IN).

Rev. Ford will be remembered for his unwavering faith, servant's heart, and a deep desire to share Jesus with everyone he met. His focus in life was leading others to Christ, visiting the flock, enjoying time with his family and friends, and spending peaceful moments fishing and traveling with his beloved wife.

"Well done, good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of your Lord." - Matthew 25:21

Rev. Matthew Kirkland will conduct services at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025, at 12:30 PM. Following the Service, burial will be at Oaklawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens, located at 1921 Shutterlee Mill Road, Staunton, VA.

The family will receive friends at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes on Tuesday, October 28th, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Special thanks to Hospice of the Piedmont and Visiting Angels for your care and comfort during the past few months.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are asked to be made to The Neighbor Bridge at P.O. Box 553, Fishersville, VA 22939.

Arrangements entrusted to the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.