Christine Wyche Ford

A loving and kind spirit, Christine W. Ford received her eternal healing when our heavenly Father called her home on Monday, September 19, 2016 at Hanover Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hanover, Virginia. She was born in rural Sussex County, March 4, 1923, the fourth of 15 children born to the late Timothy Wyche and Carrie Freeman Wyche. She was raised on a farm until she left to attend high school at Peabody High School in Petersburg. She was the first in her family to finish high school, graduating as salutatorian of her class. Her plans included attending college, but her father passed away near the time of her graduation; therefore she was required to return home to help care for her family. She was united in marriage to the late Mallory Gilliam Ford and together, they reared four daughters and one granddaughter. Education was very important in the Ford household. The question was never whether you were going to college, but where. Christine and Mallory ensured their girls were given the opportunity to further their education and they did. The Petersburg Chapter of Virginia State University Alumni Association recognized her passion for education, by awarding her with the Solomon’s Wisdom Award; an award that honors individuals whose children graduated college, but who were unable to attend themselves. Christine worked as a school bus driver and cafeteria worker in Sussex County Public Schools until retirement. She was active in various ministries at Jerusalem Baptist Church until moving to Richmond to live with her daughter Gladys. She regularly attended Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church in Sandston, VA, but maintained her membership at her beloved Jerusalem where she attended as often as possible until her health declined. She was an avid reader of the bible and loved the Lord. She was a member of Jarratt Chapter #185, Order of Eastern Star. Her passions were fishing, cooking and flower gardening. She was well known far and wide for her pound cakes, sweet potato pies, and chicken muddle, which she loved to share with family and friends. Her daughter, Vivian Louise Ford preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughters, Pauline Ford Sharper (Harry) of Glen Allen, VA, Gladys Lucille Ford of Richmond, VA, Charlotte Ford Patterson of Glen Allen, VA and Tracie Machelle Ford Evans (Lyle) of Chesterfield, VA; grandchildren, Monica Sharper-Brown (Shawn), Jamie, Darren, Lauren, Bryan and Todd; great-grandchildren, Amara, Jordan, Jaylon, Daylen, Brooklynn, and Noah; sisters, Ella Mae Powell of Philadelphia, PA and Betty Louise Tucker (Harold) of Dinwiddie, VA; brothers, Nathaniel Wyche of Baltimore, MD and James Lawrence Wyche (Ruby) of Palm Coast, FL; four sisters-in-law, Barbara Jones Wyche of Jarratt, VA, Lunette Ford of Newark, NJ, Carrie Wyche of Jarratt, VA and Jean Wyche of Detroit, MI; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Obituary A loving and kind spirit, Christine W. Ford received her eternal healing when our heavenly Father called her home on Monday, September 19, 2016 at Hanover Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hanover, Virginia. She was born in rural Sussex County, March 4, 1923, the fourth of 15 children born to the late Timothy Wyche and Carrie Freeman Wyche. She was raised on a farm until she left to attend high school at Peabody High School in Petersburg. She was the first in her family to finish high school, graduating as salutatorian of her class. Her plans included attending college, but her father passed away near the time of her graduation; therefore she was required to return home to help care for her family. She was united in marriage to the late Mallory Gilliam Ford and together, they reared four daughters and one granddaughter. Education was very important in the Ford household. The question was never whether you were going to college, but where. Christine and Mallory ensured their girls were given the opportunity to further their education and they did. The Petersburg Chapter of Virginia State University Alumni Association recognized her passion for education, by awarding her with the Solomon’s Wisdom Award; an award that honors individuals whose children graduated college, but who were unable to attend themselves. Christine worked as a school bus driver and cafeteria worker in Sussex County Public Schools until retirement. She was active in various ministries at Jerusalem Baptist Church until moving to Richmond to live with her daughter Gladys. She regularly attended Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church in Sandston, VA, but maintained her membership at her beloved Jerusalem where she attended as often as possible until her health declined. She was an avid reader of the bible and loved the Lord. She was a member of Jarratt Chapter #185, Order of Eastern Star. Her passions were fishing, cooking and flower gardening. She was well known far and wide for her pound cakes, sweet potato pies, and chicken muddle, which she loved to share with family and friends. Her daughter, Vivian Louise Ford preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughters, Pauline Ford Sharper (Harry) of Glen Allen, VA, Gladys Lucille Ford of Richmond, VA, Charlotte Ford Patterson of Glen Allen, VA and Tracie Machelle Ford Evans (Lyle) of Chesterfield, VA; grandchildren, Monica Sharper-Brown (Shawn), Jamie, Darren, Lauren, Bryan and Todd; great-grandchildren, Amara, Jordan, Jaylon, Daylen, Brooklynn, and Noah; sisters, Ella Mae Powell of Philadelphia, PA and Betty Louise Tucker (Harold) of Dinwiddie, VA; brothers, Nathaniel Wyche of Baltimore, MD and James Lawrence Wyche (Ruby) of Palm Coast, FL; four sisters-in-law, Barbara Jones Wyche of Jarratt, VA, Lunette Ford of Newark, NJ, Carrie Wyche of Jarratt, VA and Jean Wyche of Detroit, MI; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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Christine Wyche Ford

March 4, 1923 - September 19, 2016