John William Ford, age 83 of Church Hill, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 10, 2024.  John was born on April 3, 1941, in the Stanley Valley Community, TN, to Eugene and Mary Ford.  John retired from ARAMark after 36 years of employment.  After retiring, John went to work at the Rogersville Walmart in the paint department for eight years.  On July 22, 1967, John married the love of his life, Kathleen Kern, and after 57 years of a beautiful life together and raising a family, she survives.

John was a dedicated worker for his Lord and Savior.  He was a member of Okolona United Methodist Church for 55 years.  During this time, he served as Board Chairman, Sunday School teacher, member of the Valley Parish Council, and he was the leader of the men’s group.  John enjoyed fishing, farming, and he was the Atlanta Braves and Tennessee Vols biggest fan.  John loved his family, and he worked hard throughout his life to care for them.   John’s fun-loving personality will truly be missed.   

John was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Salyer (Wayne); niece, Donna Bostic; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Talmage and Clyde Elizabeth Kern; and brother-in-law and best friend, Bob Lovegrove.  Left to cherish John’s memory are his wife, Kathleen Ford; son, Jonathan Ford (Shonnie) and their children, Vanessa and Maria; daughter, Aundrea Ford Johnson (Darell) and their children, Hope Jackson (Mason) and Matthew Johnson; two great grandchildren, Myles and Maggie Jackson; sister, Audrey Ryans (David); brother, Michael Ford (Jean); sister-in-law, Lucille Kern Lovegrove; and many loving nephews, cousins, and friends.   

The family would like to give a special “Thank You” to the staff at NHC and Amedisys Hospice for their kind and compassionate care and support during the last few months.   

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Okolona United Methodist Church, 813 Green Street, Church Hill, TN 37642. 

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Carter-Trent Funeral Home Church Hill.  

A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm with Rev. Mike Webb and Pastor Jon Rogers officiating.  

A graveside will follow at Church Hill Memory Gardens.  Jonathan Ford, Mason Jackson, Darell Johnson, Michael Ford, Jeff Lovegrove, Hubert Feagins, Matthew Johnson, and Jimmy Davidson will be serving as pallbearers.  David Ryans, Wayne Fletcher, Carroll Jenkins, and Virgil Lipe will be serving as honorary pallbearers.   

To view a memorial video please click here.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home Church Hill is serving the Ford family.