Clinita Arnsby Ford

I, Clinita Eloise Arnsby Ford, City of Tallahassee’s first African American First Lady, university educator, nutritionist, home economist, realtor and community servant leader, enjoyed a most blessed life which was enriched by my church, family, friends and colleagues that I had the good fortune to engage during my life’s journey. I relished being the only child born of the late Anita and Clinton Arnsby who were both Oklahoma educators and bestowed me the gift of originating my name as a combination of their names: my father’s, Clinton, and mother’s, Anita. I transitioned to eternal life at the age of 96 on Saturday, March 15, 2025 and was born on September 23, 1928 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

At the age of 15, I graduated with Honors from Manual Training High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma and completed the Baccalaureate Degree in Vocational Home Economics from Lincoln University (MO) at the age of 19. One year later (1949) at the age of 20, I received the Master’s Degree in Food, Nutrition/Institution Management from Columbia University (NY) and also joined the faculty at Florida A&M College (later University) where I caringly worked until retirement with designation as Professor Emeritus. I received the PhD Degree in Nutrition and Biochemistry from Kansas State University where I was a General Foods Fellow and graduated with Honors.

My life’s treasures included many honors and awards, including: One Hundred Outstanding People of the Century (Florida A & M University); One Hundred Outstanding Black Women Leaders (Black Issues in Higher Education); Distinguished Alumni Award (Kansas State University); Alumni Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate and Hall of Fame (Lincoln University (MO)); Teacher of the Year (Florida A & M University); Outstanding Black College Alumni Award (National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education); 1890 Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award (USDA); and Inductee in the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, and Distinguished Service Award (American Home Economics Association). I was honored to be selected as a panelist on two national video conferences on Student Recruitment and Retention sponsored by the American Association for State Colleges and Universities and Black Issues in Higher Education. I was listed in Who’s Who in American Education (Who’s Who of American Women; Outstanding Educators of America (Personalities of the South); Strathmore’s Who’s Who and American Men and Women of Science. I enjoyed certifications as a convention manager and licensed real estate broker. In my retirement I delighted in work as a broker associate with Keller Williams Realty in Tallahassee, FL. My additional certifications included designations as a certified home economist and both a registered (RD) and licensed (LD) dietitian. I was distinguished as the first African American chair of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, appointed by Governor Claude Kirk.

My Christian faith was nourished and sustained as a devoted member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Several of my professional and civic activities were recognized nationwide as pioneer efforts. In 1964 I was one of the three original authors of Upward Bound, a national program for support services to high-risk students. I was founder and director of the National Higher Education Conferences on Black Student Retention. My professional publications included three books: Student Retention Success Models in Higher Education (1996); Strategies for Retaining Minority Students in Higher Education (1992); and Black Student Retention in Higher Education (1988). I also co-authored chapters in other books relating to minority student retention and lectured extensively on issues relating to the retention of minority students in higher education, at colleges and universities across the nation and at many regional and national conferences.

My community and board appointments included service on the Board of Directors of the Florida A & M University Federal Credit Union, Tallahassee Genealogical Society, North Florida International Visitors Council, Advisory Board Member of: Peoples First Community Bank, Recruitment and Retention (monthly publication), The National Retention Project of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Mentoring Multicultural Students in Foods and Nutritional Sciences, City of Tallahassee Police Chief’s Citizens Advisory Council and Florida Youth Leadership, Mentoring and Character Education Program, Inc. I fondly served with distinction as National President of the Association of Title III Administrators, National Treasurer of The Links, Inc., Senior Mentor with the Woodrow Wilson Administrative Fellows Program, and Local Outreach Educator with the Institute of International Education.

My most cherished life reflection was 66 years of marriage to the love of my life and best friend, James R Ford, Sr., retired educator, Tallahassee, Florida's first African American elected official and three times Mayor of the City of Tallahassee and our offspring. My life has been enriched through reading and international travel as I visited several continents and many foreign countries to enhance my understanding of other cultures.

I leave my legacy and unending love to my son, James R. Ford, Jr. (Lisa); daughters, Janita Maria Ford Patrick and JaKathryn Ellouise Ford Ross; grandchildren Frank C. Petrine, III (Wendy), James R. Ford, III, Tanner R. Ford, Michael C. Ford, Raven L. Ford, Carlanita M. Hollis, Ari Q. Patrick, Kristin M. Ross and Carrington E. Ross; six great grandchildren, and a host of loved and adored relatives and friends.