Wilma Ruth Ford

Wilma Ruth Sparkman Ford, 91, affectionately known as “Memaw,” died Saturday at Brookdale Senior Living.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor Lee Shadrick officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Miracle League of Columbia P.O. Box 654 Spring Hill, TN 37174 or Highland Baptist Church 1800 Highland Avenue Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born November 10, 1934, in the Burwood Community of Williamson County, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Claude Butler Sparkman and Martha Harbison Sparkman. On April 27, 1955, she married Joe H. Ford, who preceded her in death on July 15, 2008.

Mrs. Ford was a devoted homemaker who found great joy in caring for her family. She was a charter member of West End Baptist Church and, along with her late husband, was a charter member of the Dimple of the Universe Camping Club. She was also a member of Highland Baptist Church. An accomplished seamstress, she enjoyed using her talents to create and sew, and she especially cherished the weekends spent camping with her late husband. One of the highlights in her life was spending her 79th birthday in the Holy Lands with some dear friends. Above all, she treasured her family and the special place she held in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as “Memaw.”

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Lojune Ford of Columbia; grandsons, Joey (Jannie) Ford of Priceville, Alabama, and Jimmy (Stacey) Ford of Columbia; granddaughters, Tai (Brad) Tebben of Columbia, Kei (Brent) Keene of Westmoreland, Tennessee, and Jill (Trey) Coleman of Culleoka; thirteen great-grandchildren; an honorary granddaughter, Heidi Angeles of Lima, Peru; a longtime friend, Trula Surles; a sister, Martha (Danny) Allen of Spring Hill, Tennessee; special niece Susan Potts and numerous other nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Jeff Ford; her brother, Harold Sparkman; and her granddaughter-in-law, Carmen Ford.

Pallbearers will be Joey Ford, Caleb Ford, Jimmy Ford, Porter Ford, Brad Tebben, Wesley Tebben, Brent Keene, Lucas Keene, and Eli Keene. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy and Kitty Chaffin, Walter and Jean Hurt, Eddie and Doris Baker, former members of the Dimple of the Universe Camping Club, former members of West End Baptist Church, and the staff of Brookdale Assisted Living.

The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Brookdale Senior Living for the excellent care, kindness, and friendship shown to Ruth. Special thanks are also extended to Compassus for their compassionate care and to Dr. Ben Gardner for his kindness and support.