The world lost a beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend, Carmen Delores Ford, 72, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, in Carthage, Missouri. She passed away peacefully going home to our loving Heavenly Father after a brief battle with breast cancer.
Carmen was born May 28, 1951, in Carthage, Missouri to the late William “Bill” Ward and Nadine Hodge. Carmen was a lifetime Carthage resident. She attended Missouri Southern State College in pursuit of her associate degree. Carmen found her passion in accounting, the field she came to love so much at Carthage Marble and then at Freds Frozen Foods. When Carmen gave birth to her daughter Andrea, she decided to devote the first 8 years of her life to being a stay-at-home Momma and raising her pride and joy as the selfless, giving, and loving mother she always was. She then returned to the workforce after 8 years to Tap-Jac, followed by Four State Supply and then Four State Office Supply where she retired from in 2019. Carmen truly had the biggest heart for animals of all kinds. She could never leave an animal out in the cold, hungry, or hurt. She always fed and sheltered every animal that showed up looking for help. She enjoyed spending her time doing all her own yard work, planting the most beautiful flowers for which she had inherited a green thumb from her mom. Another passion she had was for arts and crafts. Specifically, the special angels she made that she would always make as gifts for different occasions and that she put all her heart and soul into for those she cared so much for.
Carmen was united in marriage to Kevin Davis in 1978 at Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage, Missouri; he preceded her in death in 2007. Carmen was then united in marriage to Ron Ford in 2001 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas; he preceded her in death in 2008.
Carmen is survived by her loving daughter, Andrea Shay Davis-Baldwin of Dallas, Texas; two sisters, Mary Williams of Carthage, Missouri and Elizabeth Helen Clark of Joplin, Missouri and her sister-in-law, Clara Ward of Carthage, Missouri.
Carmen is preceded in death by two previous husbands, Kevin Davis and Ron Ford; her parents, Bill and Nadine Ward; and three brothers, David, Eugene “Gene”, and William Wayne Ward Jr.
A funeral service will be held at 2pm, Thursday January 18, 2024, at Ulmer Funeral Home Chapel in Carthage, Missouri. Burial will take place immediately following the service at Park Cemetery in Carthage, Missouri for those who would like to attend after. Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.
Carmen had the most generous, loving, and giving heart. Friends and family wishing to honor her may donate to Carthage Humane Society in her name.
A Bible verse Carmen lived by to leave you all with – Philippians 4:6: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”
