Jacqueline Harris Ford
June 8, 1931 – October 19, 2023
Jacqueline Harris Ford (Jackie) passed away on October 19, 2023, and peacefully entered into heaven. She was born June 8, 1931, and lived the majority of her life in Richmond. She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Thomas Allen Ford (Tommy).
Jackie is survived by three children, Kim Spencer, husband Jamie; Kelly McElroy, and Brad Ford, wife Valerie. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren who loved her very much and will profoundly miss her in their lives: Erin Cameron Hart (Doug), Ryan Cameron (Meghan), Austin McElroy (Alicia), Peyton Ford (Caitlin), Allyson Sheehan (Dan), Preston Ford, Jessica Norton (Christian), Alec Urban (Meaghen), Jay Spencer, Parker Ford, Amelia McElroy (Andy), and Justin Spencer. Jackie welcomed 11 great-grandchildren into her later life: Harrison Cameron, Hayden Ford, Carter Ford, Collins Cameron, Jackson Ford, Raelyn Ford, Tara Ford, Burke Sheehan, Ezra McElroy, Blake Norton, and Callie Poole.
Jackie, also known as…Mom, Queen Jackie, Jack, Grandmommy, Grammy, Grams…. was the matriarch of this large family and the common denominator that held us all together. It began with family beach trips to the Outer Banks, where friends were often invited, and eventually, grandkids as they came along. All holidays were her favorites and became huge family events where everyone, despite their location, was sure to gather because there was nothing more that she loved than having her family with her. We are passing that tradition on as long as we can so that all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will grow up as close to one another as we all have been.
Jackie was never lacking friends from bridge friends, tennis friends, pool friends, neighborhood friends, women’s club friends, or high school friends all of whom she cherished for life. Anyone who knew her always admired her clothing style. She could wear anything that someone 20 or 30 years younger could pull off. In fact, her closet was frequently raided by the girls in the family for the latest fashion and who loved the opportunity to go shopping with her. Jackie was a very proud grandmother and would always attend each of her grandchildren’s sporting events, often traveling to Greensboro, NC to watch her grandsons play soccer and bounce around different football, baseball, and softball fields to support her Richmond grandchildren.
Words that her grandchildren have used to remember her: passionate, protective, best friend, supportive, fashionable, gregarious, fabulous, phenomenal, fun and loving, and patient while teaching card games!
In her last years, Jackie lived on the 2nd floor of the Mary Parson Healthcare unit at Westminster Canterbury. Enough words can not be said to describe the support, love, care, and compassion that the entire staff from nursing to dietary, therapy, and ministry gave to her and our family in her final days there and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
We also want to thank another very special person in our lives, Wynn Clark, whom we have known as a brother to us siblings and as a son to our mother for more than 50 years. He kept Jackie vital and engaged in life during her final years and was with her at the end and she no doubt felt his presence.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in the Westminster Canterbury Sanctuary on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Towers rooftop banquet room. Please, in lieu of flowers, consider donating in Jackie’s memory to the Christmas Employee Fund where all of the employees who have this unique special calling to help people in the later years of their lives will share in your generosity: ECF, Westminister Canterbury, 1600 Westbrook Ave, Richmond, VA 23227.
She sounds like a wonderful person. Wynn talked about her a lot. God bless her soul. My thoughts and prayers to Kelly Wynn and her family at this time
I had the pleasure of reconnecting with her in 2017 & her personality was still just as vibrant as it was when I first met her back in 1995. She was always quick with a kind word & loving hug…the world has lost a good woman indeed!
Thank you for your kind words Michael! She certainly enjoyed ANY time in life she got to spend time with you 🙂
Jackie, the “hottest “ grandmommie in the West End
Jackie was so good to me and my family. I will miss her terribly.
So full of life and always engaged in what was happening around her. She treated us like family and was so supportive o.
Sending all our thoughts and prayers to you, Kelly, Kim and Brad and all the many others that will always miss her. Especially Wynn, he and all were with her until the very last day.
RIP Jackie, you were one in a million.
I will miss my neighbor and bridge club friend.
Hob (Hobson) Sigmon (TJ Class 1949 Classmate)…..Jackie represented the spirit and spunk of our 1949 class at TJ. She was a vital part of our Reunion Committee for the 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th TJ Class reunions. AS THEY SAY “WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE THEM WITHOUT HER”.
I will miss her no crap, straight forward approach. She was certainly one of a kind.. Rest in Peace Jackie.
Always loved me some “Doris” being so unique! I especially loved the fact that she lived life on her terms and did it her way! My the Lord bless and keep! 😘🙏🥂