Ann Elizabeth Ford
March 30, 2023

Ann Elizabeth Rod, 91, of Fraser, Michigan, passed away March 30. Ann was born on November 2, 1931, in Spruce Pine, Franklin County, Alabama; daughter of Thomas and Mellie (Grissom) Underwood. She graduated from Russellville City High School with beloved classmates she cherished all her life.

While working at the Redstone Arsenal, she met an Army serviceman by the name of John Ford, Jr. who tried to requisition a date from her. She initially rebuffed his advances, but he eventually wore her down and became the love of her life. They married on March 2, 1957, spending the next 64 years together until John’s death on May 20, 2021.

Upon John’s discharge from the Army in 1958, they relocated to Detroit. Ten years later they moved to Fraser. They enjoyed spending time in Fraser, at their cottage in Lexington Heights, and their second home in Spruce Pine, Alabama. Ann had several different jobs throughout her life, but is most remembered for her time in data processing with the Macomb County Public Library system.

She also volunteered with and led many organizations; serving as treasurer and on the board of the Allen-McRight Cemetery in Isbell, Alabama; helping in leadership roles at Isbell United Methodist Church; and serving on the board as the secretary of the Somerset Swim Club in Fraser, Michigan.

Ann was raised as a farmer’s daughter in Alabama and carried those traits with her throughout life. She was a member of the Isbell United Methodist Church in Alabama and enjoyed being a member of the United Methodist Women and spending time with all her beloved friends there.

More than anything, Ann was the heart of her family! She was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Ann cared for her great grandchildren as often as she could and hosted many holiday dinners. Ann loved to travel, mostly to visit family in their various homes in the many places they have lived.

Anytime she could go on vacation with family was always a joyful highlight of the year for her, and times upon which she reflected often. She was a talented cake decorator and flower arranger and enjoyed crochet and macramé. Ann was a kind and generous Christian woman who was loved by all that knew her and will be deeply missed.

Ann is survived by her children, Linda Ford Handran, John (the late Laura Zabel Ford) Ford III, Alice Ford and Thomas (Brandy Breen) Ford; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Handran, Nicholas (Rachel) Handran, Lindsey (Steven) Dean, Christopher (Megan) Ford, Lauren (Drew) Collins, Will Breen, Beth Ann Ford, and JT Ford; her great-grandchildren, Emma, Ava, Arthur, Iris, Kate, Eleanor, Charlotte, Riley, Rhett, and Clara; sister-in-law Mary Bohde; and nephews David Bohde, Roy Clayton Hammond and Russell Hammond. She was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, her sister Stella Hammond, and her daughter-in-law Laura Zabel Ford.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, July 3, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. with a time of gathering beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Isbell United Methodist Church, 10821 Highway 43 S., Russellville. The family would appreciate memorial contributions to Allen-McRight Cemetery in Isbell, Alabama.