Sandra Diann Ford

She was born to Elmer Elec Smith and Laura Lorraine (Collins) Smith on October 24, 1940 in Olney, Texas. When Sandra was 6 months old, her father Elmer was killed in an oil rig accident in April 1941. Shortly after her father’s death, her mother met and married Glidwell O. Galloway. Sandra always referred to Glidwell as her father, as he was the one who helped raise her.

Sandra graduated from Midland High School in May 1958. On January 17, 1958 she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life Gerald “Jerry” William Ford. Their marriage was a deep, enduring bond that demonstrated what a life-long partnership could be. Their early days as husband and wife, were filled with great stories- from hosting wild house parties to Jerry going to Sandra’s high school to give them a piece of his mind when the administration called her into the office (“You can’t speak to my wife that way!”), they were inseparable. Their first year of marriage was spent in Midland, Texas, then in 1959, moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where their two children Julee and Layne were born. They moved to Houston in 1965.

Sandra loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family. Hosting Christmas Eve dinners were an opportunity for everyone to come together and enjoy her cooking talents. Sandra and Jerry told the best stories at the dinner table. Stories about her childhood summers spent with her maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and in the early years of their marriage, dinners with Jerry’s parents and playing cards. The most treasured part of her life was family and friends. Jerry and Sandra were married 62 years in a household that was filled with love and laugher. Sandra always said they were truly blessed to share life’s journey together; they were best friends and soul mates.

Sandra spent 31 years working in the Property Insurance Industry, 28 of those years were with Delta General Agency in Houston, Texas. She retired from Delta General Agency in December 2002. After retiring, she devoted much of her time to documenting her family history, completing a genealogy report and a full cookbook of the delicious recipes that regularly made an appearance at her table. Her love for her family shone in these endeavors- each recipe in the cookbook was accompanied by a personal story.

The lights of Sandra and Jerry’s lives were their grandchildren, Christopher, Bridgette, Nicholas and Brandon. They brought them so much joy, love and happiness. Christmas mornings were a wild affair with the grandkids: noise and love (and presents) were always in abundance. And there couldn’t have been more dedicated grandparents. For each of their four grandchildren, they were always present for sports games and dance recitals, cheering the whole time.

Sandra is survived by her daughter Julee Ford Hendrix of Dallas, son Layne Ford and his wife Ann of Houston; and grandchildren Christopher Brian Hendrix of Baltimore, Bridgette Diann Comanda, Nicholas William Ford, and Brandon Layne Ford. Brother-in-Law, Alvin Heathcock (Rockelle), niece Jennifer and nephew Jayson.

Previously departed loved ones include her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Ford; her parents, Laura Lorraine and Glidwell Galloway; and her siblings George Wayne Galloway and Laura “Rockelle” Heathcock.

In lieu of flowers, Sandra was a tremendous supporter of St. Jude’s – Children’s Research Hospital, please consider donating on her behalf.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Ford family.