Edna Mayson Ford

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Visitation Schedule
Wake Keeping
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Friday, December 18, 2015
7:00 P.M.-11:00 P.M.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Saturday, December 19, 2015
11:00 A.M.
Cemetery
Riverwood Memorial Gardens
301 Carnahan Drive
Maumelle, AR  72113
Edna Mayson Ford

of Little Rock, AR

May 11, 1934 - December 5, 2015

REVEREND MOTHER EDNA MAYSON FORD
Lt. Colonel and Inspector of Police (Retired), Liberian National Police Force

The Ford, Mayson, and Greene families are sad to announce the passing of Reverend Mother Lt. Colonel Edna Mayson Ford, Inspector of Police (Retired), Liberian National Police Force, in her 82nd year on December 5, 2015 at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA where she has resided since June 1991.

Reverend Mother Edna Mayson Ford was born on May 11, 1934 in Greenville, Sinoe County, Republic of Liberia, the third of twelve children born to the union of Reverend James Mayson and Jessie Ann Greene Mayson both of Greenville, Sinoe County. Edna moved to Monrovia at an early age and settled with her parents in Caldwell. She completed her education in Monrovia and in subsequent years attended the Liberian Bible College. In 1955, she married Major (Retired, Armed Forces of Liberia) Charles Wesley Ford, Sr. (deceased, 1981) with whom she had seven biological children.

Mother Ford, affectionately referred to by her colleagues as ''Iron Gate,'' was a member of the Liberian National Police Force (LNPF) for 37 years. During her long and dedicated years of service with the LNPF, she served in various capacities and rose through the ranks from being a Recruit to Lt. Colonel and Inspector of Police. Between 1953 and 1962, she served as payroll clerk, information officer, Chief of Records at the National Police Academy, Chief of Supply of the LNPF, and Chief of Records of the Sinoe County Detachment. From 1962 to 1966, she was an instructor of Police Science at the Police Training Academy teaching Juvenile Law, Criminal Law, and Police Public Relations. She served as Chief of Personnel, Records, and Budget from 1966 to 1972 and then again from 1976 to 1979. In addition to other professional training, in 1968, she received a diploma in Police Records Management from the International Police Training Academy in Washington, D.C., followed by a certificate in Supervisory Training from the Police Training Academy in 1969. From 1972 to 1976, between her tenure with the Personnel Division, she served as the Chief Executive Officer for Police Operations supervising 1,685 police officers. From 1984 to 1988, she served as the first Chief of the Police Traffic Ticketing Division, a unit she developed from its inception. Beginning in 1988, Lt. Col. Ford was appointed Advisor to the Police Chaplaincy of the LNPF, a position she held until the outbreak of unrest in Liberia. In addition to her involvement with the Police Force, Mother Ford was a member of the Order of Eastern Star of Liberia.

Mother Ford was involved in several ventures in Liberia. While her husband, Charles Sr., was commanding officer at Camp Grisby Military Base in Greenville, Sinoe County, inspired by her love of education, she established the Edna Mayson Ford Night School, where she provided free education to military personnel and their families. From 1966 to 1979, she operated Edna Mayson Ford & Sons, offering loans and providing guard services. She was the proud Founder and Pastor of the Holy Chapel of God and Christ Church in Point Four, Bushrod Island, Monrovia, Liberia, a labor of love she began in 1974. Following in her father's footsteps, in 1976, Mother Ford was ordained as a Minister and subsequently ordained as Reverend Mother. In the same year, she established the Holy Chapel of God and Christ Elementary and Junior High School also located in Point Four.

Mother Ford enjoyed sharing her many skills and talents with others including her colleagues at Leisure Arts in Little Rock, where she worked for more than ten years. At Leisure Arts, she received several recognitions including Employee of the Month. Her zeal to remain connected to her family, community, homeland, and church was paramount. She was an enthusiastic member of the Liberians in Arkansas and a staunch supporter of the Conference of Liberians in the Southwestern United States, Inc. (COLOSUS, Inc.), serving a term as chaplain. Although Reverend Mother Ford had a couple of church affiliations in the United States, she retained her membership at her home church, The Holy Chapel of God and Christ. Because of her thirst to learn more about the scriptures, she watched a lot of religious programming with special interest in the teachings broadcast by Shepherd's Chapel Church located in Gravette, Arkansas. Mother Ford also enjoyed United States and Liberian politics; she spent a great deal of time watching the news and having lengthy discussions about current events with her children.

Seemingly now a celebration of goodbye, in 2014, she celebrated her 80th Birthday in Nashville, Tennessee surrounded by her children, grandchildren, extended family members, and friends. She was preparing to return to Liberia in spring of 2016 to continue her labor of love with her church and school.

Mother Ford did everything she could to remain faithful in the Lord. She truly embodied the concept of service to others and would give what she had to enlighten and bless the lives of others. She always had words of wisdom for those with whom she came in contact. We celebrate the life of Reverend Mother Edna Mayson Ford and thank God for the many lives she touched.

Reverend Mother Ford is survived by her children: Dr. Charles Wesley Ford, Jr. (Dr. Dwedor M.), Winston Levely Ford (Sheila), Edna M. Ford Gilmore (Clyde), Enda Vickly Ford, Sciguard Subah Ford (Shemikia), John Henry Ford (Paula), and Edwin Roosevelt Ford (Mahar); stepchildren: Cecelia Garmai Ford, Emmanuel Ford, Richard Ford, and Richardson Ford; foster children: A. Gore Kamara, Wilson Togba, and Pittman Ellis; grandchildren: Dr. Dwedor W., Chanita (Roddrick), Charlise, Charles III, Winston, Jr., Charlene (Rodderick), Wesley, Sciguard, Jr., Caleb, Bryce, Saloria, Jon Jon, EJ, Eiara, Nada, Aya, Precious, Matilda, Thomas, Jamillia, Gore, Jr, and John; and ten great-grandchildren.

Also left to mourn her loss are three brothers: Richard Mayson, Hampton Mayson, and Edward Mayson; and one sister, Lessie Mayson Henshaw; a cousin she affectionately referred to as sister, Charlotte Mayson; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a host of other relatives, extended church family, and friends.

May the soul of our dearly departed, Reverend Mother Lt. Colonel Edna Mayson Ford, a disciplinarian, administrator, police officer, educator, entrepreneur, and religious leader rest in peace.

On Friday, December 18, 2015 at seven o'clock post meridian central standard time (CST), the mortal remains of the late Reverend Mother Lt. Colonel Edna Mayson Ford will lay at the funeral parlor of Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway in Little Rock, Arkansas, 72211, for one night of wake keeping.

On Saturday, December 19, 2015 at eleven o'clock ante meridian CST, funeral services over the remains of the late Reverend Mother Lt. Colonel Edna Mayson Ford will be held at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. Thereafter, interment will take place at the Riverwood Memorial Gardens, 578 Carnahan Drive in Maumelle, Arkansas. Reverend Mother Lt. Colonel Edna Mayson Ford will take the journey to her place of final rest in Liberia in 2016.

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22 Condolence(s)
Tamara Fentress
Nashville, TN
Liked
Sunday, December 20, 2015

John, Paula and Family,
Hugh and I send our deepest condolences. May God's love, peace and comfort flow through all those HE has placed around you. We love you all.

Fulinia Williams
Buford, GA
Liked
Sunday, December 20, 2015

She is now resting in His arms!

Joey & Keith
,
Liked
Saturday, December 19, 2015

You are in our prayers. God bless you and your family.

Siedio Cha Cha
Hampton,
Liked
Friday, December 18, 2015

Le-Etta and I send our deepest sympathy for the loss of your mother. May The Lord strengthen and comfort you.

Family Life Pastor Johnson
Brownsville,
Liked
Thursday, December 17, 2015

Pastor Undrae Johnson and Family Life Family wish to give the family of Reverend mother Edna Mayson Ford our deepest sympathy and condolences. We pray for continued strength in the days to come. We love you Sister Edna Gilmore!

Dr. George & Mrs. Doris Kieh
Douglasville, GA
Liked
Wednesday, December 16, 2015

To: Drs. Ford and and Family.

Our deepest sympathy for the lost of your mother. May Almighty God Bless You All.

George and Doris

Tamikia White
Lebanon, TN
Liked
Wednesday, December 16, 2015

John and Ford Family, My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May God give you the peace that you seek.

Taronda Frierson
Nashville, TN
Liked
Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Sending my condolences to John and Paula and the rest of the Ford family. May God give you understanding & peace during this difficult time. Cherish the memory of your loved one and be comforted in knowing that she is with our Lord & Savior smiling and watching over you all. God Bless you!

Deborah Coats
WATSON, AR
Liked
Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Miss Edna was a joy to work with at Leisure Arts. I can remember her always doing prayers with everyone. I know she became one of god's angel. My prayers are with the family.

Nancy Lister Baker
North Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, December 16, 2015

To the family of Mrs Edna. What a wonderful Christian women Mrs. Edna was. I worked with her for many years at Leisure Arts and she brought so much love and joy to all of us. Her smile could be seen at all times. She is with God now and happy.

LATAUSHA FAYNE
NASHVILLE, TN
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Take comfort in the fact that you now have an Angel watching over you. My heart and prayers are with you all.

Tony & Tisa Beard
Smyrna, TN
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

John Ford and Family,
May God continue to bestow his richest blessings upon you and your dear family, during this your time of bereavement. You and your family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.

Blessings,
The Beard's

Donna Gosnell
Nashville, TN
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Braina Corke
Antioch, TN
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

John,
We are praying for the entire Ford Family. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot bear.

Tina Durham
Pegram, TN
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

To have just read about this super lady is awesome! What a testament of what we should all be like. I have the privilege of working for one of her sons, John Henry Ford, and I understand his pain during the loss of life but the memories he holds will eventually be very bright. With my deepest sympathies to the family and may you all find comfort in her going home.

Robinson & Richardson Family
, GA
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

John 11:25 - Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of grief.

Vinisha and Daniel

Vicki Nobles
Nashville, TN
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

I send to you John Ford and your entire family my deepest condolences for the loss of your dear mother. No words can explain my sadness for you. Prayers lifted for your strength during this difficult time. May you always cherish your memories and hold them very close to your heart forever. Stay strong. .

Emily
Eagleville, TN
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

So very sorry for your loss. May God bless you and keep you showered in his embrace during this difficult time.

Earline Piggee
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

To be absent from the body, is to be in presence of the Lord
Praying that he Family and Love ones will take comfort in these words..
.

Tami Holt
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Dear Mother Edna's family. I am so sad to learn of her passing. But, I rejoice in the knowledge that she has finally met the Lord; and I am sure that he has wrapped her in his love. She was a beautiful soul and beloved friend to me and to her Leisure Arts family. God bless you all.

Rhonda Hammonds
Antioch, TN
Liked
Monday, December 14, 2015

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints Psalm 116:15 May God continue to bless you and your family. I pray that he will give you comfort and peace during this time.
Love to you, Paula and the rest of your loved ones. Rhonda

Theresa Perkins
Nashville, SD
Liked
Monday, December 14, 2015

You and your family have my deepest sympathy. Jesus will be your co-pilot as your travel to Little Rock. Mom is gone but her spirit will always be in your heart.