Obituary for Judy Lynnette Miller Ford

Judy Lynnette Miller was born at home in Menlo, February 8, 1942.  She was the 12th child of 14 of Omeda (Eastman) and Charles L.  Miller.  She led a very sheltered childhood, rarely going anywhere until she started school.  Little wonder she cried every day and an older sibling had to take her home, but she learned to like school and was a good student.  She attended Menlo Community School and graduated May 1960.  She also loved music at an early age, often singing harmony.  She continued to sing for many years, at church, social activities, weddings, and funerals. 

Judy was baptized and confirmed at Menlo Methodist Church in 1958 and in 1962 moved her membership to Bridgewater United Methodist Church.  In 2023, she moved her membership to Faithful Community Global Methodist.  Church was a big part of her life.  Her faith was deep and a constant source of peace.

Judy married Richard Marlin Ford, September 3, 1960, and they lived and worked in Des Moines.  In March 1962, they moved to the Ford Family Farm where they raised their children, Richard Dean, Charles Daniel, Roberta Jean, and Douglas Wayne.  She learned to be a farm wife, always grew a huge garden and delighted in canning, freezing, and sharing produce.  She moved in 1990 to Bridgewater, living there until her death.     

In 1985, Judy began working again outside the home as a CNA and HHCA.  She became a nurse in 1993 going to college for the 1st time at the age of 50 and worked at Good Samaritan Center until retirement.  She enjoyed embroidering, quilting, reading, gardening, volunteering, and traveling.  She had visited all 50 states.  Her greatest joy was always her family, and she treasured the time spent with them.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Omeda, husband Richard, son Dan, daughter-in-law Shelly, grandson Tracy Carpenter, sisters Helen, Hazel, Ruth, Jean, Mary, Deanna, Kay, and Myrna and brothers Glen, Charles, Tom and Robert.  She is survived by her children, Dean (Marilyn) Ford, Roberta (Keith) Carpenter, and Doug (Emily) Ford,  grandchildren Jessica (Norman) Bass, Megan (Jake) Quick, and James (Becky) Ford, and Kenton and Kevin Ford, great grandchildren Silas, Makenna, and Inez Bass, Briar and Wyatt Quick, Landon and Luke Ford, sister Bonnie Garwood, many nieces and nephews.