Dr. Jerutha Victoria Williams Ford was born on July 4, 1932, to the late Paul and late Elizabeth Williams in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she attended Dillard Elementary, Junior and High School.
Always considered a “mover and a shaker,” she received her B.S. from Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida in 1953; M.S. from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida in 1968 and Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida in 1983.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Dr. Samuel A. Ford, Ed.D. (Retired (43 years) Broward County School Administrator). Their union produced two Children: Monica P. Ford-Green and Samuel Scott Ford – deceased (Donna – deceased). Four Grandchildren: Alana D. Morgan, (Dr. Theodore, II), Dr. Jason A. Ford-Green, (Alexis), Stephen P. Ford-Green (Tabitha), Samuel G. Nichols. Ten Great Grandchildren: Mia J. Ford-Green, Desmond I. Ford-Green, Theodore M. Morgan, III, Isaiah S. Ford-Green, Gianni P. Ford-Green, Sidney M. Ford-Green, Christopher A. Morgan, Kori J. Ford-Green, Remington T. Morgan and Riley A. Ford-Green.
Other immediate family includes two sisters: Joyce E. Kennedy, Mary Jean (Willie – deceased) Brown. Seven brothers: Cornell R. Folson – deceased, Paul J. Williams – deceased (Dorothy-deceased), James C. Williams – deceased, Carlton Williams – deceased (Rosa), Dr. Gilbert Williams (Evelyn), David Williams (Althea), and Samuel Williams (Alyce) and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
She retired in 1995 after serving 42 years with the Broward County Public School System. Positions held include classroom teacher, school media specialist, assistant principal at the secondary level, elementary principal and finally Middle School Principal at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School (LLMS). She served her last 15 years as the first black and first female Principal at LLMS. The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at LLMS was established under Dr. Ford’s leadership & encouraging support of the sponsor and students. As a result, the organization’s chapter was officially named the Dr. Jerutha Williams-Ford Chapter of the NJHS in school year 1985-1986. Near her retirement, the Student Council, PTA members and staff surprised Dr. Ford with a dedicatorial service in 1995 and renamed the LLMS media center to “Dr. Jerutha Williams Ford Media Center”. U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings signed a Proclamation declaring June 30, 1995 as Drs Samuel and Jerutha Ford Day for the 23rd Congressional District in recognition of their scholastic achievements, community involvement and combined 85 years of service to the Broward County School system.
In 2004, she and her husband decided to relocate to Tallahassee, Florida to give them easier access to visit their grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their respective locations and to be closer to his home in Memphis, Tennessee. Their home is a virtual museum since it displays all the family’s portraits, academic degrees, certificates, plaques, trophies and achievement honors. Her religious, organizational and civic memberships include participation at the local, state and national levels. She was initiated into the Beta Alpha undergraduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in October, 1951 at FAMU. She was elected the school’s queen for school year 1952 – 1953, as the last “Miss FAMC”. Thereafter, the school attained University status and the queens were crowned “Miss FAMU”. In 1955, she was one of fourteen charter member sorors inducted into the graduate Charter Chapter of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, known as Epsilon Nu Sigma. It was later renamed Broward County Alumnae Chapter. At the time of her passing, she was one of the last 2 living charter members for the chapter. She is a Golden Life Member of Delta. Religious involvement over the years included membership at Saint George Catholic Church and Saint Malachy Catholic Church in south Florida, then on to Good Shepherd and Co-Cathedral of Saint Thomas More Catholic churches in Tallahassee.
Dr. Ford was born to a strong, loving family with deep moral and religious convictions and practices. Her parents were so committed that all nine of the siblings complete both high school and college. Her mother found time to be a consummate community and school activist, while her father worked 2 & 3 jobs to make it possible. The family was ultimately recognized as a “Great American Family”. Nominated by the Urban League of Broward County to represent Broward county and the state of Florida, the family ultimately became one of the 7 other families selected to represent family values for the nation. They were honored at the State Capital with Governor Bob Graham in 1984 and at the White House by President & Mrs. Ronald Regan in 1984. Further evidence of more permanent community recognition is manifested in the re-naming of Fort Lauderdale’s Northwest 19th Street (from 31st Ave to 9th Ave) as “Elizabeth S. Williams Boulevard”. The “Paul Williams Memorial Drive” located in Oswald Park on Northwest 24th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, honors their father.
On Monday, July 11th, just 1 week after her 90th birthday, Dr. Ford passed away peacefully in her sleep at Tallahassee’s Big Bend Hospice House. Her memorial service and entombment will take place at Culley’s MeadowWood in Tallahassee.
Due to the recent surge of COVID-19, the family wishes to have a private service for the immediate family only.
*In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in memory of Dr. Ford to the FAMU College of Education – Office of the Dean.
IN LOVING MEMORY
Dr. Jerutha Williams Ford
July 4, 1932 – July 11, 2022
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