Franklin Doyla Ford, Sr.

Franklin Doyle Ford, Sr, the fifth child of Rev. and Mrs. Raymond D. Ford, Sr, was born on Friday, June 5, 1942, in Batesville, Mississippi. Being reared in a Christian home, “Bill”, as he was affectionately called, accepted Christ at an early age and united with the Eureka A.M.E Zion Church, in Courtland, MS. While his parents nurtured his spiritual education, he received his formal education from Blakely Elementary School and Batesville Colored Schools in Batesville, Mississippi. For over twenty-five years, Franklin was employed by Tallahatchie Valley Electric Association (TVA). He loved his job and performed his duties faithfully. Friends say that he “never met a stranger.”

Eternal Rest

On Monday, May 18, 2026, Franklin heeded the call from our Heavenly Father and joined his loved ones that preceded him: his parents, Rev. Raymond D. Ford, Sr, his mother, Mrs. Bernice Jones Ford, his brothers, James Edward Ford and Gerald Benson Ford, and his sister Lettie M. Parker.

Franklin’s memory will forever remain in the hearts of those he loved. He leaves behind his children, Franklin D. Ford, Jr. (Barbara) and LaDonna L. Ford-McCormick, (Dmitri) of Memphis, Tennessee, two grandchildren, LaKiesha Ford-Siggers and Qunekia Murphy; four great grandchildren (three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter) ,  all of Memphis, Tennessee; along with his siblings: Elder Raymond D. Ford, Jr (Christine), Warner Robins, Georgia, Marquerite Gipson (Quentell, Sr), Holly Springs, MS, Thelma Willingham, Memphis, TN, Georgia Lee and Dorris I. Ford, Sardis, MS, Jessie B. Finlayson (Joseph), Tampa, FL, and Earline F. Blake (Austin), Oxford, MS, along with his nieces, nephews, and friends

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

“Mr. Franklin’s” hearty laugh, his insatiable “sweet tooth”, and his strong-willed nature will always be remembered by his loving caretakers, Mrs. Cathy Vaughn, his sister, Earline, and his niece, Allyson “Shae” Blake- Johnson.