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Rebecca S. Ford

Rebecca S. Ford

IRVINGTON—Rebecca Simmons Ford died at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington on Friday, August 18, 2023, surrounded by loving family.

She was born April 3, 1935, in Pike County, Mississippi to Texie Day and Ollie Leon Simmons; one of seven children. Her family moved to New Orleans, La., where she was educated in public schools. She attended Southeastern Louisiana College, majoring in physical education. She taught sports and drama at the New Orleans Recreation Department, and substituted for schools in several states, including Virginia.

A member at Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church since 1985, Rebecca was an elder; and served with several sessional committees, worship, Christian education and witness, where her calling to interpret mission was evident. She was an honorary life member of Presbyterian Women, served as a leader at the local, presbytery and synod levels. She served the Presbytery of the James as Moderator of District 3, member of the strategic planning committee, administrative board, as Moderator of the Presbytery in 2004, and member, committee on ministry. She served as a Commissioner to General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and as a member of the Anti-Racism Training Team.

She was active in the Presbytery of the James Pilgrimage, a long-time leader in and advocate for PTA, chairperson for Religious Life with the Residents’ Association Board at RW-C where she resided since April of 2000, member of the board, Bay Center for Spiritual Development, volunteer at Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic, president, Rappahannock Music Study Club, and chaplain, Virginia Federation of Music Clubs.

Rebecca was predeceased by two sons, Duane Devlin Ford and Darrell Spencer Ford; her husband, Joseph I. Ford Jr.; her parents; her sisters, Glenda Simmons, Dixie Vonne S. Casadaban, Dora S. Rockwell of Pearlington, Miss., and Mary S. Schilling of DuPont, Washington; and one brother, O’Day Simmons.

She is survived by her sister, Gwendolyn S. Gitz of Covington, La,. her daughter, Lynne and husband, “Bear” Graves; two sons, retired USMC Major Michael and wife Monique Valentine Ford of Fredericksburg; Daniel Day and wife Carla Lee Ford of Gloucester; eleven grandchildren, Sarah Ford Ray, Amanda Pearl Buckley, Shelly Graves Kober, Samantha Michaelle Wright, Joseph Robert Ford, David Duane Ford, Joshua Chamberlain Ford, Michael Ignatius Ford, Tyler Devlin Ford, Sara Anne Valentine and Benjamin Ryan Valentine; cousins, nieces, nephews, numerous grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and many great-grand babies… a great, big, loving family!

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, September 1, at Currie Funeral Home in Kilmarnock. Website curriefuneralhome.net

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 2, at Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Weems, with fellowship following the service. Interment will be private.

Memorial Gifts may be made to the Rappahannock Westminster­-Canterbury Foundation or to Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.

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