In Memory
Loretta (White) Ford
Loretta (White) Ford, 71, passed away on Sunday, Christmas Eve, 2023. Mrs. Ford was a resident at Morning View Assisted Living at the time of her death due to natural causes and had been battling dementia and Alzheimer’s and other health conditions since 2012.
Mrs. Loretta Ford was born to the union of Mr. Louis F. White and Mrs. Lillie Mae (Tucker-Edmondson) White, on June 16, 1952, in South Bend, Indiana. Loretta’s father, Louis, was a construction worker and maintenance engineer for the University of Notre Dame and her mother, Lillie Mae, was a laundry aide at Healthwin Hospital. Both coming from Little Rock, Arkansas to South Bend, Indiana, where they purchased their home on Howard St. in South Bend, on the Eastside of town. This would be Loretta’s Forever Home, as she took over the property and added renovations to the property, after the passing of her parents and was her last residence at the time of her illness.
Both Loretta’s parents proceeded her in death. Her father, Louis, passed away in 1985, suffered from bone cancer and her mother, Lillie Mae, passed away in 2003, suffering from skin cancer. Loretta was the only child of their union. During her childhood, Loretta attended South Bend public schools. She went to Central High School and eventually graduated from John Adams High School, class of 1970. Loretta enjoyed reading books and many types of written media and materials. She loved murder and mystery readings mostly, but she also enjoyed any books or news information she could get her hands on. Loretta was also very artistic and creative. She could draw exceptionally well, and could be caught doodling and writing all the time.
Loretta was a very quiet person. She spent most of her time listening to her records and albums. She had hundreds of songs she enjoyed dancing and singing too. She was a good dancer and had a knack for seeing the dancers on Soul Train, at the time, and easily picked up and replicated their cool moves. Loretta also enjoyed watching movies. She could be found in her kitchen, her favorite room in any of her homes, watching television, drawing and even reading. She was multifaceted. Loretta always kept up with her surroundings, and never let anything get past her attention. Loretta worked as a Nurse aide, CNA, and later in life as a Home Health Aide. Loretta was married to Mr. Glenn L. Ford, whom was a native of Georgia, but resided in South Bend, as a self-employed mechanic and business owner. Their union was consummated at the local justice of the peace in South Bend in 1998. Glenn proceeded Loretta in death in 2004, from a long battle with lung cancer.
Also proceeding Loretta in death, was a son-in-law, Mr. James Cornell Walker, Sr., (LaVern) in 1992, and her father’s sister, Mrs. Everine Bolden, in 2001, both of South Bend, Indiana. Loretta was a free spirit and always said what was on her mind. At times, she was an avid prankster and could be caught laughing, with her hand over her mouth with a look of innocence and guilt all at the same time. Even though Loretta was a good, fun-loving person, her demeanor was not to be taken for a weakness… Loretta was definitely a force to be reckoned with. Loretta was well loved by her family and friends and very respected by her co-workers and outside acquaintances and by her community.
Mrs. Loretta Ford leaves to cherish her unforgettable memory one older sister, Mrs. Robie Harrell of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her daughter, Mrs. LaVern Renee (Ludy) Walker-Bond (Darmon D. Bond) of South Bend, Indiana, and her children; Grandson, Mr. James Cornell Walker, Jr., of South Bend, a granddaughter, Ms. Jerrica Clarisse Walker of Indianapolis, IN, and granddaughter, Ms. Courtney Cy’Mone Bond, also of South Bend, Indiana. A daughter, Ms. Chantel Elise Redding and her children, a granddaughter, Ms. Chanelle Renee Alexander, grandsons, Mr. Jared Jermaine Alexander, Jr., and Mr. Canye Devon Tompkins, and a granddaughter, Little Ms. Lillian LaCole Stearns, all of South Bend, Indiana. Two sons, Mr. Wallace Emery Barbour and his children and Mr. Keith Esmond Barbour, both of South Bend, Indiana. Stepson, Mr. Daryl Redding of South Bend, Indiana and Honorary son-in law, Mr. Jared Jermaine Alexander, Sr., also of South Bend, Indiana. Also, an adopted family member, Mr. Herman Hudson, also of South Bend, Indiana. As well as a host of other family and friends.
Special thanks from Mrs. Loretta Ford’s family to Woodbridge Assisted Living and Morning View Assisted Living care facilities, her nurse, Sam and special roommate and friend, Mrs. Alberta Husband, and all of the various care teams and staff.
All funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Boyd’s and Son Funeral Home. Donations, flowers and condolences can be handled through them or by reaching out to daughters, LaVern and Chantel.
Visitation will be on Thursday, January 4, 2024 beginning at 10am and final services to begin at 11am at Laymen Chapel, 303 South Kenmore St., South Bend, IN 46619. Per Mrs. Ford’s request, cremation will follow.
A family gathering in Celebration of the Life of Mrs. Loretta Ford, will be held at her daughter Chantel Redding’s home after the services, at 2023 Bertrand St. South Bend, IN 46628. All are welcome to join. If anyone would like to bring a dish, that would also be greatly appreciated, but not required.
The Family of Mrs. Loretta Ford would like to thank Boyd’s and Son Funeral home for the opportunity to entrust our mother’s care and her finally wishes to them.
03/05/2024 EJS
|