Joyce Ford

 Joyce Ford, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, was carried into the presence of her Savior from her home in Weatherford, Texas, on July 8, 2026, one month shy of her 86th birthday. A celebration of her life will be held at North Side Baptist Church on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Oakland Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, at the Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel in Weatherford.

 Joyce is remembered by family, friends, and former students as one of the kindest, most gracious people they have known. Her life was grounded in Christian faith, and she easily extended Jesus' love to all. She enjoyed family, friends, church, music, books, laughter, and conversations with classmates, friends, and anyone the Lord placed in her path.

 Her favorite game was Scrabble, and she played an online version of it with friends, and former colleagues and students for several years after she retired.

 Born on August 9, 1940, she was the youngest child of Guy Eaves and Lula E. Crow. In 1958, she graduated from Weatherford High School and remained in Weatherford the rest of her life. She cherished her classmates, attending most of the class reunions, including the cruise to celebrate the 50th reunion in 2008.

 Joyce wed E. Mark Ford on July 25, 1959. Together they built a family with one daughter, Leah, and an adopted son, Armin, one of Joyce’s former students.

 She attended Weatherford College and Tarleton State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with both her bachelor’s and master’s in education. Afterward, she spent 27 years as a devoted and inspirational English teacher at Mineral Wells High School, where she became known as “Mama Ford” and received multiple awards for teaching excellence.

 Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her sister and brother-in-law, C.W. and Mae Eaves Griffith. She is survived by her husband, Mark; her children and their spouses, Leah and Bill Sessum, and Armin Paya and adoptive daughter‑in‑law, Beth Butler; grandchildren, Luke and Erika Sessum and Jacob and Brooke Sessum; great-grandchildren, Ellie and Gabriel Sessum; sister-in-law, Carol Ann Shealy; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

 Her son-in-law, Bill Sessum, will serve as officiant for the service. Pallbearers include her son, Armin; grandsons, Luke and Jacob Sessum; nephew, Cody Wilbanks; and family friends, Daniel McRee and Michael McDonald.

 The family extends its many thanks to Alpha Omega Hospice for its support in Joyce’s caregiving over the past year-and-a-half. 

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We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time.

The Staff of Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services

817-594-2747

https://www.galbreaithpickard.com/