Dorothy Ford

Dorothy W. Ford was born November 2, 1930 in Newbern, Tennessee to Jessie and Gracie (Davis) Wyatt. She received her heavenly reward on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at the age of 89 years. In her death she was surrounded by love.

Dorothy gave her life to Christ at an early age. She attended Newbern Monroe Elementary and graduated from Bruce High School in Dyersburg, Tennessee. After graduating, Dorothy was able to continue her education by winning an essay competition to receive a full ride scholarship to Fisk University. She received a BA in English with a minor in Art. She met and married the love of her life, William T. Ford and moved to Saginaw, Michigan, where she was employed with the Saginaw Board of Education for over thirty years.

As one of the first black teachers hired in Saginaw, she taught at a host of elementary schools before retiring in 1990 from the I-TIP program. Even after retiring she continued her journey as an educator by teaching Sunday School, children’s church and vacation bible school for First Baptist Church, as well as being a tutor at Butman Fish Library. She did the Read Program where she reached a lot of children. Her legacy of faith, love, and education will forever be remembered.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, William T. Ford; daughter, Vaughnita Garrett; son, Michael Ford; stepdaughter, Thelma Ford; parents, Jessie and Gracie Wyatt; sisters, Fannie Hobbs, Sarah Curtis; brothers, Ned and Robert Wyatt; son-in-law, Charles Garrett Sr.; father and mother-in-law, Theodore and Martha Degroat Ford; and many others.

She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Gina Copeland, who took care of her when her health failed; stepdaughter, Gloria J. Cormier; grandchildren, Lamar Kimble, Jr., Charles II (Kellee) Garrett, Brandon Ford, Davario (Brandy) Garrett, Marcus (Ericka) Garrett, Rayford Copeland, Makayla Copeland, Charles Jr. (Gwendolyn) Cormier, Marcel (Ebony) Cormier, Cheryl (Calvin) Pruitt all of Saginaw, Michigan, Tracy Cormier, Arlington, Texas, Gloria Mitchell, Arlington, Texas, Bridgett (Herman) Bell, Fayetteville, North Carolina, Ida (Jon) Davis, Fredrick, Maryland, Caroline Hatter, Pontiac, Michigan, Lashawn (Twon) Bady, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; sister, Mildred (Lenwood) Henry, South Haven, Michigan; many great and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including special friends James Degrate, Saginaw, Michigan, who was like a grandson to her, Trellis and Syrra Laury, Dorothy Harris, Lennie Skipper, Sue Humphrey, Lou Bradley, First Baptist -Beacon of Hope Church Family, son-in-law, William Copeland and many others.

The Family would like to express special thanks to Davita Dialysis on Fashion Square Boulevard, staff at Cardinal Hospice (Lisa), Dr Mulpari M.D., Ford Hospital Staff, her church family, grandson Rayford, who helped with her care and daily needs, as well as a special thanks Pastor Rick Cunningham, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.