Woodrow W. “Woody” Ford Jr., 77, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017. Woody was born in Pearisburg, Va., Dec. 2, 1939, during a blizzard. He was the son of Woodrow and Alice Ford. As a small child, he and his family moved to South Norfolk, and he lived his entire life in Hampton Roads.
Woody was a graduate of Oscar Smith High School. As a young man, Woody’s continuing education consisted of three years at Old Dominion College, a division of the College of William & Mary and Virginia Tech, where he focused on math and science.
Soon after, he began working in the family construction business, Ford Pile Foundations, founded by his father. He participated in the founding of the Pile Drivers Contracting Association and also served a term as president. Woody was an active member of Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, both teaching Sunday school and serving with the Methodist Men for many years.
Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 55 years, Mary Lou Ford; his three children, Sherri Lynne Hendrix, and her husband, Chris, Trey Ford, and his wife, Molly, and Elizabeth, and her husband, Tom Almeraz; and sister, Charla Melone. Woody was the loving grandfather of six grandchildren, Blake, Spencer and Landon Hendrix and Sarah, Wilson and Carlon Ford.
Woody and Mary Lou were blessed with many friends and Mary Lou would like to thank her network of close friends who have been so supportive during Woody’s illness. The family would especially like to express their gratitude to the entire staff at Sentara Hospice House for the comfort and care given over the last three months.
The family will be receiving friends at the Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home located at 601 N. Witchduck Road, Va. Beach on Sunday, January 8th from 3-5 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Va. Beach United Methodist Church at 212 19th Street, Va. Beach at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 9th with Reverend Ralph Rowley, Reverend Robert Cofield and Reverend Ken Watson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Urban Discovery Ministries Inc., 121 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23510.
