We lovingly remember Jimmie Lou Garner Ford, who peacefully passed away from this world to ascend to her heavenly home on Monday, May 3, 2021. She was born in Alexandria, Louisiana on November 21, 1947 to Thomas Delma “Jack” Garner of Tyler Town, Mississippi and Lucille Boone Garner of Forest Hill, Louisiana. Both of her parents, Brother Delma Keith Garner, and Sister Joyce Lynn Garner preceded her in death.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years Roy Vernon Ford of Bossier City, Louisiana, along with their daughter Martha Kay Downing of Redfield, Arkansas, and son Kevin Roy Ford and wife Amanda of Ennis, Texas. She adored her eight precious grandchildren Levi and Kayla Downing, and Lukas, Nicholas, Tobias, Rosemary, Eliza, and Matthias Ford. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends that include her Sister-in-Law Lorraine Garner of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Mrs. Ford graduated from Bolton High School in Rapides Parish. She continued her education to complete her certification as a legal secretary. She worked for both the U.S. Attorney’s office and the Internal Revenue Service. She then worked for the Federal Government at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in both medical transcription and oncology. She highly valued serving our nation’s veterans and always went the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of everyone she met. This work was fulfilling, but not as rewarding as her ability to be a stay-at-home mother and homemaker when her children were young.
Her greatest joy was being a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was her family’s greatest cheerleader. She enjoyed camping, road trips, and listening to her family make music. Above all, her favorite place was next to her husband.
She had a strong and firm belief in God, which she instilled in her children. She believed in the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord and His salvation. Her favorite prayer was the Serenity Prayer. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
