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Submitted: 12/19/16 • Approved: 12/23/16 • Last Updated: 12/26/16 • R1164504-G1164503-S3
Aug 14, 1921 - June 1, 2011
Mildred Alida Ford, 89, died Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at her home in North Little Rock.
Born in Conway, on Aug. 14, 1921, to Hinkle W. and Myrtle Naylor Ethridge, she was preceded in death by her husband, B.D. Ford; and her brother, Russ Ethridge.
In 1940 she received a Bachelor of Music degree from Hendrix College in Conway and later pursued graduate studies. She taught public school music in Arkansas and Texas before entering the retail music business with her husband. They owned and operated Bean Music Co., Inc. in Little Rock for over 30 years.
After retiring from business in 1993, she was treasurer of the Little Rock Wind Symphony board and volunteered with the Arkansas Literacy Council, teaching adults to read. She also taught a music education course at UALR.
A member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, she served in many capacities through the years: organist-choir director, youth leader, vestry member, choir member, adult education leader, Stephen minister, lay Eucharistic minister, and the congregation's first female senior warden. For over 20 years she facilitated a closely-knit women's group for theological study and reflection. She was a past board member and treasurer of St. Francis House in Little Rock.
Survivors are two daughters, Carolyn A. Ford of Fayetteville and Mary Jane Hodges and husband Drew of North Little Rock; two granddaughters and husbands, Lisa and Doug Spurlin of Tucson, and Aaron and Greg Dutton of Independence, Mo.; three great-grandchildren, Sarah, Caroline and Benjamin Spurlin of Tucson; three nieces, Martha Ethridge of Conway, Betty Graham of Williamsburg, Va., and Holly Madsen of Washington, D.C.; one nephew, Mark Ford of Olathe, Kan.; and numerous other family and friends.
Funeral is at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, North Little Rock. The Rt. Rev. Larry R. Benfield, Bishop of Arkansas, will celebrate.
Interment of ashes will be 3 p.m. Monday at Oak Grove Cemetery in Conway.
Parents:
Hinkle West Ethridge (1892 - 1961)
Sarah Myrtle Naylor Ethridge (1894 - 1972)
Spouse:
Benjamin Dale Ford (1918 - 1989)
Contributed on 12/19/16 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1164504