Mary Van Ford was born on January 30, 1924, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She was the only child born to Will Lawrence Lovelady and Ruby Manetta (Clark) Lovelady and the eldest of siblings Manetta Smith and Charles Frank Smith.
After graduating from the Attala County Training School, Mary Van moved to Erie, Pennsylvania, and there, in 1948, married Willie Gordon Ford. To that union was born one child, Trenace Ford. Although their marriage ended in divorce, they enjoyed a cordial relationship throughout their lifetimes.
Most of Mary Van's career was spent as a department store salesclerk and window display designer. The Lerner's Shop in downtown in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, often featured her window display work. In 1967, when she returned to Kosciusko to care for her mother and stepfather, John Henry Smith, Mary Van found employment as a salesclerk at Shainberg's department store and later at Leonard's department store. Although her love of fashion was undeniable, she loved flowers and antiques even more. She was a member of the Mid-Mississippi Arts Council and volunteered at the Back Pew Gifts and Antiques shop.
Mary Van Loved her Kosciusko community and especially her Wesley United Methodist Church community. It was at Wesley that she discovered her love of teaching. She was devoted to her adult Sunday school class and spent hours of preparing each lesson.
Although she lived in several other cities, her heart was always in Kosciusko and the home she lived in for many years. She was able to remain in Kosciusko until 2015 when it became necessary for her to be near her daughter in Oak Park, Illinois. In 2020, declining health necessitated Mary Van's move to Bethesda Rehab and Senior Care in Chicago, Illinois, where she passed away.
Mary Van was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Frank, and sister-in-law, Chessie Peeler Smith Glass. She is survived by her sister, Manetta (Davis) Guyton; daughter: Trenace Ford ( Marsha Borders); neohews: Ray Kenneth (Janice) Smith, Jon C. (Rhonda) Guyton, and Glen A. (Cyndi) Gutyton; niece Charlotte Smith (Dwght) Jackson; and many grand and great grand nieces and nephews.
PLACE OF GRAVESIDE: Kosciusko City Cemetery, Kosciusko, MS
TIME OF GRAVESIDE: Saturday 1/16/2021 at 11:00 A.M.
INTERMENT: Kosciusko City Cemetery, Kosciusko, MS
VIEWING: Friday 1/15/2021 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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