Mr. Joseph Fordham

FORDHAM, Mr. Joseph - Age 85, passed away Friday, April 17, 2020 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 28, 2020 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, 9506 N. Dort Hwy., Mt. Morris, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the chapel 10:30 AM Tuesday. Mr. Fordham will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Monday. Mr. Joseph Fordham Sr. “Joe”, age 85, received his wings on April 17, 2020. Joseph was born March 28, 1935 in Glenwood, Georgia, the son of Carrow and Lillian (Reaves) Fordham. The son of sharecroppers, Joe moved to Flint, Michigan at the age of 17 with the help of his uncle, Horace Reaves. Soon after, he helped in moving the rest of his family to Flint. Joseph was hired at Fisher Body I, a division of General Motors Corporation, becoming the First black Fireman in his department. He retired after 34 years of service. Joseph was a very devoted husband and father who lived a life dedicated to God. He loved his children who could do no wrong in his eyes. Don’t talk negatively about his kids if you wanted to stay on his good side. He loved his wife, Alma and worked tirelessly as her primary caretaker late into his life. Joseph had a great sense of humor and loved people; nobody was a stranger. He enjoyed planting in his garden and working with his hands. Joseph was a “Mr. Fix-It.” He believed that he could fix anything and he took his sons and grandsons along the journey, instilling in them his strong work ethic. Mr. Joseph Fordham Sr. leaves to cherish his memory: beloved wife of 49 years, Mrs. Alma Fordham; 6 children, Valerie Fordham, Joseph “Joey” Fordham Jr., all of Flint, Felecia Todd of Antioch, TN, Sonya (Pastor Donald) Coney of Belfast, TN, Martha Fordham of Saginaw, MI, Michael (Shaneetra) Fordham and special daughter, Latoya (Tony) Brown, all of Flint; 2 sisters, Lillian Millender and Lois Edwards, both of Grand Blanc, MI; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Annie Duncan; brother-in-law, Theodore (Mae) Gillespie; a host of other relatives, god-children and friends including special friends, Eugene Payne and Nate Eason. Mr. Fordham was preceded in death by his parents, Carrow and Lillian Fordham; sister, Pearl; brothers, Otha, Robert, Roy, Jim and Lawyer Fordham. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Herbert Banks and the New Creation Church of God family, former pastors of the Holbrook Avenue Church of God, Leo and Janell Robinson and family, prayer partner, Apostle Ruby Johnson, all of those who called, sent letters, texts, emails and prayers; there are too many to name, and the nursing staff and physicians at McLaren-Flint.

Mr. Joseph Fordham

March 28, 1935 - April 17, 2020