Catherine Taylor Ford

Born on May 1, 1940, in Jacksonville, Florida, Catherine lived a beautiful life centered on love, faith, and family. She grew up in Jacksonville, FL in Murray Hill and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1958. Catherine spent her working years as an executive secretary at Jacksonville University and Wood-Hopkins Contracting Company. Following her retirement, she devoted her time to caring for her parents with compassion and pursued creative hobbies, including scrapbooking, card-making, and birdwatching.

A devoted woman of faith, Catherine was a proud member of Oceanside Church of Christ, where her faith served as a steady foundation throughout her life. Her love for God and her church community was evident in the way she cared for others, lived with grace, and led by quiet example.

Above all else, Catherine’s greatest love was her family. As a mother of two, she found purpose in raising her children and creating a strong, loving foundation. She was overjoyed when her family grew from two children to eight following her marriage to Bobby Jo Ford. Together, they built a home filled with laughter, love, and faith. In later years, she became known to her grandchildren as “Grandmama” and “Big Mama”—a master storyteller, crafting extraordinaire, and expert Go Fish and Bananagrams player. She encouraged her family to be intentional in their actions, words, and time together.

She is survived by her children, Randy White (Jonna White), Mary Catherine Dake (Rick Dake), Matthew Ford (Joanne Ford), Sherry Powell, Pam Copeland (Bryan Copeland), Keith Landolt, Lisa Miller (Guy Miller), and Ben Ford, along with 25 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. She especially delighted in spending time with her nearby grandchildren—Taylor, Carter (Collin), Morgan (Travis), Logan (Connor), Jenna (Anthony), Addison, Jared (Jancy), and Curtis (Taylor)—and cherished visits with the rest of her out-of-town family and dear friends.

While our hearts are deeply saddened by this loss, we find comfort in knowing Catherine lived a full and meaningful life. She will be forever loved, deeply missed, and always remembered.

A service celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Oceanside Church of Christ, 1025 Snug Harbor Court, Atlantic Beach, Florida, followed by a graveside service at 3:00 p.m. at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations to Beaches Council on Aging Dial-A-Ride are welcome in Catherine’s honor.