Marie O. Ford, peacefully transitioned on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital, Newport News, Virginia.  She was born on March 13, 1938, Richmond, Virginia to her beloved father, Archie B. Jefferson and mother, Sarah B. Pettaway.

She graduated from G.W. Carver High School, Newport News, Virginia, Class of 1956.  She was employed and retired from the Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) and the City of Newport News (Department of Health and Police Department) after many years of dedicated services.

Her love was watching the Young and Restless from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., the Bold and Beautiful from 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and finally General Hospital from 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Majority of those times while watching or listening to the soaps, she would not answer the phone, if she did, she would most likely rush you off the phone politely telling you she would call you back or call her back when the shows were over.

Marie was a dedicated servant of the Lord that loved all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Marie was preceded in death by her late husband, Walter T. Ford; her parents, Archie B. Jefferson and Sarah B. Pettaway, Grandmother, Sarah O. Coleman, Brother, Lawrence Jefferson, Sisters, Ruth A. Carter and Evelyn McCargo and her dear friend and partner, Russell C. Jones.

She is survived by her daughters, Sharon R. Hilliard, Valerie D. Bell and Deborah L. Wright.  Brothers, Melvin Jefferson and Alfred Jones Jr., Sisters, Shirley Patron (Jefferson), Angela P. Risher and Rosalind T. Mayo.  Three grandsons, Walter M. Ford, Carlos A. Ford and Brandon J. Ford.  Three granddaughters, Demetra M. Ford, Ashley O. Ford, and Marie A. Ford, eleven great grandchildren, great granddaughters, JaMeesia J-L. Ford, JaNiyah M. Ford, Arianna J. Ford, and Alyiira S. Moore, great grandsons, Marcel Osbourne, Walter M. Ford, II., Xavier T. Jevell Ford, Devar S. Ford, Nysiir E. Ford, Zymiir V. Ford and Jacob I. Brooks A host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A very special thanks to Mrs. Carla Lewis, Ms. Linda Rice, Ms. Synthel Cook-Ford, Ms. Deidra Moyd and Ms. Takiyah Brooks. (All Caregivers when called upon).  Beloved friends, Mrs. Francene Johnson, Ms. Elba Grant and Mrs. Gail Gundy (VEPCO).

The family would also like to acknowledge some of her friends and classmates (Class of 1956) – Mr. Robert C. Davis, Ms. Dorothy Carter, Mr. and Mrs. James and Barbara Johnson, Mr. Van Evans, Ms. Alberta Reid, Ms. Mable Betts, Ms. Jackie Meyers and Mr. Wilbert Hawkins.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 25, 2022 at O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.  Viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of the service on Friday.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.