Martha Jane Ford, 79, passed away to her heavenly home on April 30, 2019 in Tyler. Funeral services for Martha are scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 4 pm at New Life Pentecostal Church, Levelland, with Rev. Chad Mooney officiating. Burial will be in City of Levelland Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at First Apostolic Church of Tyler on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 7 pm.
Martha was born on February 19, 1940 in Sweetwater to the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Shellenberger. She graduated from Fort Stockton High School in 1958 and worked in the Pecos County courthouse after graduation. She married Bill Ford on August 26, 1960. The following year she and Bill were blessed with two boys eleven months apart, Carl and Steve. In 1974 God called Bill and Martha to Levelland to pastor a church until Bill’s death in 1990. Martha was a woman of prayer. Many people remember hearing her pray throughout the day as she went about her daily tasks. Even while battling sickness the month before she passed, her family would hear her praying and praising God in her hospital bed. A couple of her favorite phrases were, “Oh, thank you, Jesus” and “Praise the Lord.”
Martha was passionate for Ladies Ministry and raised money through this ministry for missionaries to receive washers, dryers, dishwashers, and other needed appliances. Martha loved to cook and bake and went out of her way to make everyone feel comfortable. She was known far and wide for her delicious cinnamon rolls. She also loved to crochet and was a gifted seamstress, often sewing her own clothes.
She is survived by her sons Carl and spouse Jana Ford of Tyler and Steve and spouse Glenda Ford of Tulsa, OK. Grandchildren: Danelle and Chad Mooney of Tyler; Brandon Bates of Portland, OR; Kegan Ford of Forest Grove, OR; Micah Ford of Tyler; Dana Ford, Brooke and Derrick Bible, and Tyler and Raelene Ford of Tulsa, OK. Great grandchildren: Skyler, Brielle, Carson, Landon and Zayden. Siblings: Bill and Lois Shellenberger of Cameron; Albert and Marci Shellenberger of Midland; Betty Stark of Mesquite; Frances and Glen Tabor of Wills Point; Glenda and Jeffrey Taylor of Levelland, Martha also had many nieces and nephews that she loved.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Ford, and brother, Don Shellenberger.
Memorials may be made to Ladies Ministry, First Apostolic Church of Tyler and Hospice of East Texas.
