Martha Jane Ford

Martha “Jane” Ford, age 89, of North Little Rock, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, at The House of Three, in Little Rock. Jane was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1936 to Earl Rice and Ethel (Crutcher) Rice, both deceased, of North Little Rock. Jane had one brother, Don Earl Rice (Beverly), also deceased, and a special niece, Debbie Rice Curren (Bill) and nephew, Greg Rice (Wendy).

Jane met the love of her life at North Little Rock High School, William John (“Bill”) Ford through Vivian Ford Holden, Bill’s younger sister, some 70 plus years ago. They were married on the 4th of July, 1954, ages 18 and 20. The newlyweds immediately drove five days to Bangor, Maine, where Bill was stationed in the USAF. Jane worked at Dow Air Force Base in their Sundries and Soda Shop while Bill trained in electronics.

When Jane and Bill returned South, they started their family in North Little Rock to include one son, Douglas (Susan) Ford and two daughters, Lisa (Tom) Garrison, and a pre-deceased baby daughter, Cynthia. While Bill continued his career in electronics via the USAF and Air National Guard, Jane attended Arkansas State Teachers College, now UCA, earning her B.S.E. Jane taught school at Glenview by day and attended classes by night eventually earning a Masters in Education degree. Jane spent most of her 30 year career in the NLR District as a teacher and Principal at Amboy Elementary. Her passion was educating children and caring for their every need, educationally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Jane partnered with her best friend and Supervisor from the NLR District, Esther Crawford, to bring “mainstreaming” to their classrooms in the 1980’s. Integrating students with special needs into general education classrooms during specific times of the day, based on individual skill levels and needs, was not popular nor easy. Amboy Elementary was the pilot program for “mainstreaming,” and it was successful. Without mainstreaming, children with special needs had no access to formal education; they were either institutionalized, confined to family or left out of the educational system altogether. Jane found this unacceptable.

Jane partnered with her Church often times over the years to modify specific aspects of a religious belief system designed by man that was negative and flawed. Through Pastors Dick King and Steve Greer, Jane and many others, began evangelizing a new, positive message of hope. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus and follow his way, love transcends rules.

Jane leaves behind to cherish her memories four wonderful grandchildren, Katherine Matthews (Parker), Matthew Garrison, John Ford and Mitchell Ford (fiancée, Mikaela Taylor). Jane has one perfect, beautiful great granddaughter, Kinsley Jane Matthews.

The family wishes to thank The House of Three, 1502 Biscayne, Little Rock, for their past six years of exceptional care. Dementia may have stolen Jane’s memory, but it did not steal Jane’s dignity nor a safe place she called home, thanks to owner, Koy Butler and his caring staff. Providing this option to the many families struggling with this horrible disease is a true blessing. Chrystan, Jenny, Christy, Mandy, Cynthia, Carrie, Clint, Lori, Pumpkin, Candance, Sherrie, Lenora, Cathy, Katrina, Jennifer, Dr. R, Tristan, Hapsi, et al, we sincerely, thank you.

The family also wishes to thank Gentiva Hospice for their comfort care and wise counsel since February, especially, Sara Hines, R.N. and Donna Nanney, R.N.

Last but not least, Jane loved knowing that she had a devoted fan club and “Angels” who remembered her all these years, when she could not remember you. Thank you for loving her so well: Deb Barker-Joyner, Precious Word, Linda White, Amy(Dick) King, Steve(Kenna) Greer, Darlene McGarity, Deanie Rowe, Kaye Seay, Cynthia Grubbs, Peggy Wingert, Kathy Ashley, et al.

A private, graveside service will take place at Pinecrest Memorial Park where Jane will be laid to rest beside Bill, her husband and Cynthia, their baby daughter. Well done faithful servant and partner with Jesus. ( 2 Timothy 4:7)