Alma Ford

Mrs. Alma Ruth Phillips Ford of Martin died Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at her residence.

Funeral service will be Saturday, December 6, 2014, 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church in Martin. Burial will follow in Gardner Cemetery. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church from 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. on Friday, December 5, 2014, or after 9:00 A.M. on Saturday until funeral time at 11:00 A.M.

Officiating Ministers are Dr. Mike Sams and Rev. David Brown. Pallbearers will be Mark Ford, Mike Ford, Maury Ford, Rick Wilson, Jr., Paul Ryne Wilson, Matthew Ford, Andy Ford, Richard Boyte, Marcus Ford, James Michael Ford,II, Mike Davis, Tyler Davis, Lee Wilson and Luke Wilson.

Mrs. Ford is survived by her husband, Billy E. Ford; her daughters, Donna Wilson and Kay Wright all of Martin; her sons, Mark (Marcia) Ford of Paris, TN, Mike (Anne) Ford of Martin, Maury (Julie) Ford of Knoxville, TN; her sister, Norma Schiavone of Springville, TN; her brother, Marvin (Ja'nice) Phillips of Eads, TN; 12 grandchildren, Rick(Brandi) Wilson, Jr. and Paul Ryne Wilson, Jennifer (Mike) Davis, Marcus and Andy Ford, Madison, Reilley and James Michael Ford, II, Matthew, Anna, Elizabeth and Kate Ford; Six great-grandchildren. She is survived by many nieces and nephews that loved Aunt Alma dearly.

Mrs. Ford was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin Denzel Phillips and Birdie Marie Anderson Phillips; one infant grandson, Billy Edward Ford.

In the early years of Alma and Billy's marriage she retired as a telephone operator from South Central Bell Phone Company. After Billy's retirement from the U.S. Army they moved home to Martin where Alma worked as a nurse for Dr. E.C. Thurmond, Jr. until his death in 1986. In 1987 they were asked to be the residence managers at the Governor's Executive Residence under Gov. Ned Ray McWherter's administration. Following his two terms she and Billy remained in that position for Gov. Don Sundquist's eight year administration.

Alma was the founder of a very active Bunco Club in Martin. She was a member of the America Contract Bridge League for many years and was awarded "Golden Age Life Master". She was the most diligent and enthusiastic member of the Fulton, Union City, and Dresden's Tuesday Night and Wednesday Duplicate Clubs plus numerous local bridge clubs. Alma was known as the member that was the "MASTER OF LIFE" at each game.

Alma was a member of First Baptist Church in Martin.

Family requests memorials to First Baptist Church Building Fund.