Brenda Kay Ford

Mrs. Brenda Kay Rideout Ford was born November 14, 1953 to the late Dorothy Tennial and James Wiley Parham. On December 26, 2020, God reached down and peacefully plucked a beautiful flower from his earthly garden.

Brenda was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Tennial, (father and bonus mom) James and Maedell Parham, (maternal and fraternal grandparents) Esker & Quintilla Rideout, Otis & Roberta Parham, (husband) Algie Ford, and (daughter) Tishia Ford- Davis.

Brenda accepted Christ at an early age at White Springs A.M.E. Church under the leadership of the late Rev. B.H. Johnson. Brenda, a faithful servant, served in many capacities of the church over the years.  Some of her duties included but was not limited to, member of the Usher Board, Missionary Society, Choir Secretary, Church Secretary, member of the Steward Board, Sunday school teacher, working with the Church School children, helping in the kitchen and the hospitality committee, and doing whatever she could to be of a service to the Lord, her church, and others.

Brenda was a 1972 graduate of the Bearden High School and went on to further her education at Ouachita Baptist University, where she completed the requirements to work as a paraprofessional.  Prior to entering into her desired profession, Brenda was employed with Masterson, a sewing factory. Following her dream and desire to work with children, Brenda entered into employment with the Bearden School District, where she faithfully served for over 40 years, until becoming ill December 4, 2020.  As a paraprofessional and a bus driver, Brenda positively impacted the lives of everyone she came in contact with.  To know Brenda, was truly to love her.  Her affectious smile, personality, and spirit was truly a diamond that would shine bright in any room that she entered.

March 17, 1978 Brenda married her soulmate, Algie Ford.  To this union, one daughter was adopted and two other children were born.  The two held fast to their vows, until the Lord saw fit to call Algie home in June of 2004.

Brenda truly lived a servant’s life.  She always put the needs of others before herself, no matter how young or old.  One of her favorite quotes came from a song by Mahalia Jackson, “If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living shall not be in vain.”  Her works and the impression that she made on the lives of others, speaks very loudly for such a quiet a humble spirit. In addition to serving her church and community, nothing compared to the love she had for her family. She enjoyed family trips, cooking, interacting with her children and grandchildren, and conversating with close friends and family.  Brenda’s love for cooking, could be tasted in every banana pudding, egg pie, coconut pie, sweet potato pie, chocolate pie, and jam cake. It was often said anything that you wanted to know about the family or family history, call Brenda she would know.

Although the church, community, and family has suffered a great loss, Brenda’s memory will forever live on and be cherished by her children: Shane (Tiffany) Ford Sr., Teona Ford (William Ritchie) both of Sparkman, Arkansas; one son-in-law Willie Davis Jr. of Smackover, Arkansas; three sisters: Diane (Farrell) Cox of Rockford, Illinois, Wanda Cooper of American Canyon, California, Alice (John) Wallace of Belton, Missouri; six brothers: Oneal Tennial Jr., Donald Tennial, Mark Tennial, Lawrence (Ardine) Tennial, Billy (Lola) Parham all of Rockford, Illinois, and Steven (Kimberly) Tennial of Bolingbrook, Illinois; two sister-in-law: Johnnie Mae Matlock of Malvern, Arkansas, Mae Nora Eason of Dallas, Texas; four brother-in-law: James(Thelma) Dawn of Dallas, Texas, James(Arie) Craigg of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, John Craigg and Johnny L. Craigg both of Sparkman, Arkansas; fifteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; five God-children; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, lifelong friends and coworkers; special friends/sisters: Brenda Pogue of East Camden, Arkansas, Ivory Parham of Benton, Arkansas, Irene Ross of Camden, Arkansas, and Allie Green of Bearden, Arkansas.

Public visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021 at Williams Funeral Home Van Buren, 119 Van Buren Street. Graveside services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021 on the campus of White Springs AME Church with Presiding Elder Kent J. Boughton, eulogist. Interment will be at White Springs Community Cemetery.