Mary Elizabeth Ford age 91, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2021. She was born June 28, 1929 to Julius and Clara Madison in Macon, GA. She was educated in public schools in Macon, GA and the family moved to Dayton, OH at an early age. Mary met her husband Bill Ford and were united in holy matrimony in the early 50s. From this marriage no children were born. Mary divorced Bill and went on to take a few business classes at night while working as a nanny and housekeeper for Fred and Katherine Rieger of Oakwood, where she employed by the family for 40 years. Mary took her earnings and bought a home for her, her mother, and her sister Louise. Thinking she could have no children, she adopted Marva Denise in 1954. Four year later she had a son, Darrell Maurice. She put her time and energy into raising her two children while working as a single mom. She started buying houses and became a successfully realtor around the Dayton area. Mary was a member of Mt Enon Baptist Church where she sent her two children every Sunday even when she was tired from working all week. After 40 years of working, Mary retired and became an active member of Mt Enon, working on the Missionary Circle and she also bowled in the church’s bowling league. At the age of 78, Dementia set in and Mary’s health began to fail. She loved working in her yard and her house was always one of the most well-kept with manicured lawns, which she did herself.

Mary is proceeded in death by her parents, and siblings, Deloris Rawlings, Louise Mason Lasley, Julius Madison, Albert Nickerson, and Jim Madison. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Marva West; son, Darrell Ford; grandsons, Dorian West, Marcus West, Sr., and Jermaine Ford; great grandchildren Marcus West, Jr., Maurice West, Talyn Ford, JaBria Cannon; nephew, Mike (Becky) Madison; loving sister-in-law, Fannie Madison and a host of family and friends.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Mt. Enon Missionary Baptist Church, 1501 W. Third St., Dayton, Ohio 45402, with Pastor Cory J. Pruitt officiating. Walk through visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Arrangements entrusted to THOMAS FUNERAL HOME, 4520 Salem Ave. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.thomasfunerals.com