Mr. J.P. Ford Sr.

FORD, SR., Mr. J.P. - Age 86, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2013 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2013 at Greater Friendship Azusa C.O.G.I.C., G-5165 Detroit St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Anthony Tolbert, officiating, Supt. Birdie J. Shields, Host Pastor. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Thursday. Mr. Ford will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday. A time to be born: Mr. J.P. “Jake” Ford was born April 29, 1927 in Dubach, Louisiana, the son of Dan and Willie B. Ford. A time to plant: J.P. loved fishing, hunting and the great outdoors. He was fond of his Blues and westerns, especially Walker Texas Ranger. He was a former member of Adams Memorial Church Of God In Christ and was presently attending Glad Tidings Church Of God In Christ. J.P. worked for General Motors for over 30 years. A time to love: In 1982 J.P. met and fell in love with Shirley Relerford and on December 5, 1997 they were united in Holy Matrimony. He loved Shirley as the Lord loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). They fulfilled their vows accordingly: “In sickness and in health.” A time to die: On Thursday, August 1, 2013 the Lord called him home. A time to mourn: Mr. J.P. “Jake” Ford leaves to cherish his memory: loving and devoted wife, Shirley Ford; 5 daughters, Diane Ford-Broadway, Deborah Ford-Applewhite, Cheryl Fields, Lawanda “Lisa” Relerford, all of Flint and Stephanie “Fay-Fay” Clark of Indianapolis, IN; son, Brian Clark, Sr.; 4 sisters, Annie Ruth Dunn of Dubach, LA, Catherine (L.C.) McLilly, Lucille Edwards and Irene Smith, all of Flint; sister-in-law, Ozell Burns; 4 brothers-in-law, Eli (Willie) Relerford, Otis (Virginia) Relerford, Scott Relerford, Jerry Relerford and Jerome (Deborah) Relerford; 24 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Mr. Matt (Renee) Burton and Rodney “Gip” Gibson. Mr. Ford was preceded in death by his 2 sons, J.P. “Sam” Ford, Jr. and Antonio Relerford; great-granddaughter, Taraji Applewhite; parents, Dan and Willie Ford; 4 sisters, Dorothy Drake, Clare Dunn, Claudie B. Harris and Mary Dawson.

Mr. J.P. Ford Sr.

April 29, 1927 - August 1, 2013