Mack Edward Ford, Sr.

Woodfin – Mack Edward Ford, Sr., 82, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 18, 2020 at his residence while surrounded by his family. He was a son of the late James Garfield Ford and Virgie Lee Chandler Ford Sizemore. He was also preceded in death by his sisters: Margie Raines and Carolyn Hagan; and brothers: Ernest R.B. Ford and Tommy Ford. Mack met his wife, Patsy Ann Ford, in 1954 through a mutual acquaintance. Their life-long friendship began. Mack left for the Air Force in 1955 where he served as an Aircraft Jet Mechanic. Almost immediately after leaving for the service, Patsy received her first letter from Mack saying that he would be coming to see her if her dad didn’t shoot him first. They exchanged letters the entire time he was in the military and were together almost every moment he was home on leave. After leaving the Air Force in 1959, their courtship continued for a year before they married on February 13, 1960 and recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. They moved away from Asheville for a while for Mack’s work but eventually moved home to the beautiful mountains of Asheville where they have lived ever since. Mack and Patsy raised their family in the home Mack built. Mack was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather first and foremost. He treasured his family and embraced every moment with them. He was a gentle and soft-spoken man with a quick sense of wit that always made people laugh. Mack retired from Norfolk Southern Railway where he faithfully worked for 30 years providing for his family. He was a skilled tradesman in many fields which he also used to provide for his family. He could fix anything and was always the one everyone turned to when help was needed. Mack was also known for his creativity. He enjoyed drawing, painting, or creating things from ordinary objects. He also enjoyed playing the guitar and the harmonica. Mack was a Godly man and always led his family by example. He was a faithful member of Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church, now known as Brookstone Church, for over 30 years. Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Patsy Ann Cogdill Ford; Children: Cathy Ford, Brenda Swann and husband Randy, Mack Ford, Jr. and wife Angie, and Kim Younger and husband Ernie; grandchildren: Leslie and husband Adam, Laura and husband Jon, Aaron, Sara and husband Nathan, Jordan and wife Loren, and Ashley; great-grandchildren: River, Corinne, Willow, Roland, Annabelle, and Hudson; sister, Wanda Jean Raines; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 20, 2020, in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Pastor Rusty Smart officiating. Burial will follow at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12:00 till 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made in Mack’s memory to: Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 or online at: www.operationsmile.org Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, attendance will be limited to 50 individuals at one-time and masks and or facial coverings are suggested.