Celestine Durrett Ford

“84 Years of Triumph – Faith, Family and Love”

Celestine Durrett Ford

February 17, 1936 – June 10, 2020

Celestine Durrett Ford was born February 17, 1936 to the late Oscar William Durrett and the late Sallie Royal Durrett. She was educated in the Nelson County Virginia Public School System and studied home economics in high school. In July of 1954, Celestine married Roosevelt McKinley Ford Sr. and had six beautiful kids over the course of their marriage – along with a Stepdaughter and Godchild. In addition to her primary job as a devoted wife and mother, in her earlier career she exercised her culinary skills and was the executive chef and business manager for “Mr. Curry’s Restaurant” in Washington, DC. Celestine later retired in 1998 from Little Sisters of the Poor as a Caregiver. She went on to live a very active life; faithfully supporting her church, traveling across country with friends, and being a listening ear and prayer partner to those who sought her wisdom and knowledge.

Known for her love of family, cooking, and witty sense of humor, Celestine took pride in hosting dinners for her family, friends and members of her local church assembly. She also shared a love for performing arts and in her youth, she was the lead vocalist in a singing group with her daughters, Beverly and Debra. She was a gifted seamstress and skillfully crafted garments and unique arts and crafts. She also excelled in crocheting, and drawing, and she could throw a “mean curve ball”. Celestine’s love for children was her trademark and made her home inviting, adventurous, and academic.

She preceded in death her late husband Roosevelt M. Ford, Sr., her son the late Honorable Bishop Roosevelt M. Ford, Jr., her late sister Louise Finch and her late brothers: Howard Morris, Bland Durrett, Bobby Durrett.

Celestine is survived by her older brother Alvin Durrett and youngest sister Annie Lee Harris and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Children: Beverly C. Ford, Debra Howard, Sally A. Ford + Donald B. Duke, Angela A. Ford, Vernell + Michael Gray, Minnie Sandidge & Wendy + Eric J Gray

Grandchildren: Kisha Howard, Crystal Corbin, Clarence + Anna Ford, LaShaon + Isaac McDade Sr., Chaneé + Christopher Penã, Aaron Thompson Jr., Christopher Thompson, Timika Wiley, Arkeba Sandidge, Erindy Gray & Eric I. Gray

Great-Grandchildren: Jordan Brown, Zharia Penã, Chayse Corbin, Sophia Cococcia, Zelaya Penã, Tyler Ford, Bryson McDade, Bryon McDade, Javon Wiley and Tevon Littleton

As the matriarch of this family, Celestine leaves a legacy of culinary arts, passion for gospel music, serving and teaching children the love of God, and most of all – a love for God’s Word and a love for her family. A worshiper at heart, Celestine wills for her family to stay in Christ, believe in God, and live by faith. With the help of God, our Matriarch will live on through all of us as we learn to forgive, allow God to heal, and celebrate the best in each of us.