Rev. Jerry A. Ford

Reverend Jerry Arlen Ford was born on January 14, 1936, in Converse, SC to the late Julius Cleveland Ford and the late Viola Jones Ford. He grew up in West Springs, SC and was a 1954 graduate of Jonesville High School. He attended North Greenville University, Wofford College, Furman University, and graduated from Limestone College. He married Patra Edge Ford on June 6, 1956 in the parsonage of Brown's Chapel Baptist Church in Pacolet Mills, SC. Reverend Ford was a Southern Baptist Pastor for over 60 years. He and Patra began their ministry as church planters with the Southern Baptist Convention in Grove City, Ohio. When they returned, he pastored churches in Blacksburg, Spartanburg, Greer, Union, Lancaster, and Gaffney. After retirement, he continued pastoring in churches in Gaffney and Union.

He was a gifted and talented musician, known for being able to play any instrument he picked up.  His favorites to play were piano, guitar, banjo, and mandolin. His father's family were all amazing musicians and often spent time together playing music when family was visiting. Whether it was out in the yard or all crammed into a room, they loved getting together to play music.

He was a gifted writer, writing sermons, stories and memories from his childhood and life, or expressing himself through letters to loved ones. He also enjoyed drawing and painting. Several favorite paintings are landscapes from the old family homeplace where he grew up in West Springs.

He was a beloved pastor and mentor, known for helping churches heal and solve conflicts, bringing peace with his sweet spirit to each one. He was humble, gentle, thankful and lived a simple lifestyle. He always made everyone smile with his silly (some would say cheesy) songs and jokes. The things that were most important to him were God, his family, the people in the churches he served, and music. He daily prayed for each member of his family by name and loved studying and teaching the Bible.

He is preceded in death by four siblings, Joanne Norwood, Sandra West, Dale Lipsey, and Danny Ford.

He is survived by his wife, Patra Edge Ford; his four children, Debbie Cromer (Alan), Janet Bobo (Tommy), Susan Sager (Mike), and Stephen Ford (Amy); eight grandchildren, Graham Cromer (Nikki), Meredith Derry (Alex), Jace Bobo (Charity), Megan White (Todd), Blake Sager, Brooke Sager, MariCate Ford and Elisabeth Ford; and eleven great grandchildren, Mason Cromer, Parker Cromer, Nolan Cromer, Norah Jane Derry, Ford Derry, Hudzon Bobo, Jazmyn Bobo, Bowen White, Emmarie White, Devan Sager and  Aralyn Loftin. He was also survived by a special brother-in-law, Reverend Broadus Heatherly and many special nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 10, 2024 at West Springs Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Benny Greene and Rev. Dwight Easler.

The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.

The family will be at their respective Homes.