Joel “Buddy” Keith Ford Sr.
70, Florence
Memorial services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence for Joel “Buddy” Keith Ford Sr., 70, who passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, April 13, at his residence. Burial followed in Hickory Ridge Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, April 16, and from 9 a.m. until the time of the services on Tuesday, April 17, at Chancellor Funeral Home.
He was born and raised in Columbia, in Marion County, and has called Florence home for the past 39 years. He attended Hub High School and received his bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Jackson State University. He served in the Special Forces as a Green Beret in the U.S. Army National Guard Airborne Division where he was a sharpshooter and parachutist during Vietnam. He loved big machinery and building things, including his own house.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura Ford; parents, Henry Grady and Hazel Ford; sister, Marie McKenzie, and brothers, Joe Ford, Jerry Ford and Larry Ford.
Survivors include by his wife of 51 years, Kathryn Ford of Florence; daughters, Christina Ford of Flowood, Grace Ford of Wiggins and Rachel Ford of Florence; son, Joel Keith Ford Jr. (Brandi) of Brandon; brother, Grady Ford of Gulfport; sister, Doris Hart of Clinton, and five grandchildren, Cody Ford, Joelee Ford, Conner Ford Kendall, Riley Ford and Madeline Stephens.
Online guestbook may be signed at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com.
