Geraldine Y. Ford

GERALDINE YARBOROUGH-FORD, affectionately known as “Gerl” to family and friends, passed away peacefully at home on September 19, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of 84. Born on August 7, 1941, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she was part of a remarkable family whose journey from the rural South to Baltimore exemplified the strength and determination of the Great Migration. Geraldine was the daughter of Dowd Yarborough Jr. and Annie Mae (Peak) Yarborough. Her father, a graduate of Atkins High School in Winston-Salem, tragically lost his life in Baltimore in 1947 when Geraldine was just six years old. Her mother, Annie Mae, originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina, demonstrated extraordinary resilience in raising three children as a single mother, working as a domestic to ensure they had opportunities for education and advancement. A graduate of Dunbar Senior High School in Baltimore, Geraldine worked for 32 years at London Fog, the renowned outerwear company, before transitioning to Poly-Seal Corporation, where she worked before retiring. In 2004, Geraldine married Ervin L. Ford, after they had been companions. Together for 23 years total, they enjoyed traveling, socializing at their local Post, and occasionally visiting family out of town. Known for being strong-willed yet fun-loving, Geraldine balanced her serious work ethic with a genuine enjoyment of life’s pleasures. Geraldine’s life represented the best of her family’s legacy — hard work, determination, and the ability to find joy even in challenging circumstances. Her hard work led to her accomplishment of becoming a homeowner, joining both her widowed mother and sister in achieving this goal in their lifetimes. Geraldine is preceded in death by her parents, Dowd and Annie Mae; sister, Doris (Yarborough) Johnson; brother, Dr. Dowd Yarborough Jr.; and son, Kevin Yarborough, a nurse, who passed in 2016. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Ervin L. Ford; niece, Michelle Johnson (Myrna Greenfield); nephew, Michael Johnson (Audrey Egan); nephew Leland (Amy) Yarborough; nieces, Deshaun Yarborough (Jason Dotson) and Briana Yarborough; grand-nieces, Marja and Ayah Hagazy, and Julian, Kori, and Lauren Johnson; stepchildren, Michael (Rhonda), Abdul, Arthur, Gwendolyn, Jannette, Kristina (James), Kayla, and Sierra. step-grandchildren, Jeremiah, Kayla, Sierra, Kourtney, Kalidia, Kirsten, Nova, and Veera; step-great-grandson, Caron; and a host of other relatives and friends whose lives she touched. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her strength and spirit

Tributes

Geraldine Y. Ford

August 7, 1941 - September 19, 2025