In Loving Memory of our Beloved

 Norma Jean Ford

A Life Well Lived

God sent a beautiful soul from heaven to Earth with a smile capable of illuminating any room and touching every heart when Norma Jean Franklin was born in Paris, Arkansas, on January 8,1933. Norma Jean attended church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Vian, Oklahoma. She was baptized at an early age in her beloved Moffett, Oklahoma. She attended both Lincoln High School in Fort Smith, Ark., and Douglas High School in Vian, OK. She later rededicated herself to Christ and was baptized by letter at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in El Paso, while her oldest daughter, Janice, and elder brother, Clyde Kinnard, looked on Married to Daniel Lee Ford, Sr. until his transition in 1998, Lt. Col. (ret.) Ford and Jean served the Union faithfully for more than 22 years at military installations at Ft. Sill, OK; Honolulu, HI; Ft. Greeley, AK; Ft. Ord, CA; Ft. Richardson, AK; and Ft. Bliss. The couple raised their five children to love one another, themselves, and to serve their community. Upon retirement, the couple found their places in the El Paso community. Both attended church at Chapel Four on Ft. Bliss and later at Sage Hall. Following her husband’s transition in 1998, “Mother Ford” became a founding member of the Fellowship of Love Christian Center in Northeast El Paso, where she was ultimately appointed the premier Mother of the Church. She held many positions during her tenure at FLCC, including chairwoman of the hospitality committee, a seat on the board of directors, and advising children, as well as disciplining them when necessary. She was also the confidant and trusted friend of FLCC’s first leader, Pastor Emeritus Mary Beasley. known by many names – Mama, GG, Mama Jean, Mother Ford – the most important title she held was Child of the Most High God. Transitioned from this earthly life before this day are her husband of 41 years, Daniel L. Ford, her mother, Elnora Barnes (Ned Anderson), and her father Verce Franklin (Charlie Ross), and her brothers Clyde Earl Kinnard (Juanita), Bobbie Ray Kinnard (Wilma Jean), and sister Mabel Lois Watson. Left to honor and cherish her memory are her children, Janice F. Rogers (Lee Rogers), Regina Gail Tarango (Marc Tarango), Daniel Lee Ford, Fran Ford Jacques (Michael Jacques), and Jachin Aaron Ford (Kim Ford); her brother Charles Edward Kinnard; grandchildren, Adrian Rogers, Clifton Rogers, Gary Bray, Jr., Dyani Jean Bray, Dina Ford, Andra Jacques, Jordan Jacques, and Trey Jacques, Moriah Ford, and a host of beautiful, great, great-grandchildren, and loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who are our family.