Born on May 2, 1954, in Bedford, Indiana
Departed on June 2, 2021 in Melbourne, Florida
Ann Adele Ford, 67, of Melbourne, FL passed away unexpectedly and suddenly on June 2, 2021 in Melbourne, FL. Ann was born on May 2, 1954 in Bedford, IN to Doyle A. and Adele (Byers) Cobb, she was the middle of 5 children. Ann is survived by her two older brothers Ronald Doyle (Sue) Cobb of Vallonia, IN and Michael Edward (Helen) Cobb of Melbourne, FL as well as her two younger sisters Robyn Lorraine (John) Garland of Jacksonville, FL and Deborah Dianne Cobb of Bedford, IN. Ann graduated from Bedford High School in 1972 and has always enjoyed returning to Bedford for her high school reunions. Ann became a registered nurse graduating from Indiana University of Kokomo in May 1976. It was there that she met her loving husband Robert “Bob” Charles Ford II from Kokomo, IN. They married on June 5, 1976, she passed away just shy of their 45th wedding anniversary. Bob and Ann moved to Melbourne, FL in 1977 where they started their family and careers. They had three children; Aimee Adele Whitlock, Amanda Brooke Sturgil, and Robert “Bobby” Charles Ford III. After her kids were grown, Ann returned to Indiana University of Kokomo and attained her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree in May 2004. Ann was a well-known nurse for over 44 years starting as an Obstetrics nurse with Dr. Victor Alvarez, then moving onto a GI lab nurse at Holmes Regional Medical Center, and finally a nurse at the Breast Center all in Melbourne, FL. She retired in July 2019.
Ann is preceded in death by her mother, Adele, and father, Doyle, her in-laws Robert Charles Ford and Betty Louise (Young) Ford. She is survived by her husband Bob; daughters Aimee (Dave Larkin) Whitlock, Amanda (Shannon) Sturgil; son Bobby (Holly) Ford; grandchildren Madison Ann-Adele (Tony Jenkins) Whitlock (21), Christian Kai Reeves (Cali Hirst) Whitlock (19), Shaelen Louise Whitlock (15), Skylar Ashley Sturgil (10), Brooklyn Ann Sturgil (10), Laken Frances Whitlock (7), Abigail Rose Ford (6), Charlotte Elizabeth Ford (4), Robert “Charlie” Charles Ford IV (3); great-grandchildren Jesiah Matey Jenkins (3), Chloe Noelle Whitlock (8 months), and another on the way; and her beloved dogs Levi and Tuxedo. Ann has many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins all whom were very special to her.
Ann was not only a skilled and empathetic nurse, she was a devoted wife, sister, loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother “Nana”, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt, and friend. Ann was an angel here on earth. She cared for her mother-in-law, then her own mother, all while caring for all those named above. Ann loved unconditionally and always looked for the good in people. She was fiercely caring, loyal, and giving. Her smile and laugh were contagious, she always made you feel welcome and as if you were the only person in the room. She knew not only about you but about your friends and family and would always ask about them. Ann never missed a birthday and loved to sing the birthday song first thing in the morning on our special day. Ann was the “rock” of our family, she was the glue that kept us all together. We are all beyond devastated. She left behind a massive absence that can never be replaced.
“Life is a Journey, not a Destination”
Memorial Services will be held at:
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
1710 Hickory St.
Melbourne, FL 32901
Saturday June 19, 2021 at 10am
Reception for family and friends will be held at Suntree Country Club immediately following at 12PM.
Anyone wishing to share expressions of sympathy is asked to consider donations in Ann’s name to: Indiana University of Kokomo School of Nursing
“Write in gift area”: Ann Adele Ford Memorial Nursing Scholarship
You never said I’m leaving
You never said goodbye.
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knew why.
A million times I needed you,
A million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place,
That no one could ever fill.
It broke my heart to lose you,
But you didn’t go alone
For part of me went with you,
The day God took you home.
Anne was a gift to all her family and friends, the epitome of caring. I feel privileged to have known her. I wish we could be planning that trip to New Zealand and Australia. I wish strength and comfort in memories to her beautiful family.
Rest In Peace and tranquility Anne.
Words just can’t describe how sadly I felt every since I received the news of Mrs Ann passing. I had the opportunity of working with her at the Breast Center. She was such a joy to work with & talk with she will be truly missed. May her soul continue to rest in the arms of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. My thoughts & prayers are with you all. Rest on Mrs Ann until we meet again.❤️
To the Ford Family…
We are thinking and praying for you all! We we so very sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful wife, mother, and grandmother. May your memories bring you peace. We love you guys!
To the Ford Family…
We are thinking and praying for you all! We we so very sorry to hear about your beautiful wife, mother, and grandmother. May your memories bring you peace. We love you guys!
I did not know Ann very well, but I could feel her warmth and energy from the first time I met her. She was so full of love for life and for her family. I know she will be missed greatly.
Ann was such a beautiful lady, not just on the outside, so caring and sweet! She made us feel like she had known us for a lifetime, I’ll never forget her kindness! Praying for her wonderful family, may God comfort each and everyone of you always! Much love Michelle & Tim
Ann was an angel here on earth. She cared dearly for everyone she encountered. Her smile will be deeply missed by all that knew her. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my co worker and friend.
Steve and Chris Sturgil
from
Florence, KY June 10, 2021
Ann was such a wonderful person inside and out. Chris and I have known her since my son married her daughter. Always enjoyed Ann's warm compassionate heart and welcoming personality. She was one of a kind. Prayers for Bob and the family. She will be missed...
What a tragic loss for Bob and all the family. It is still with disbelief that this could have happened to my wonderful friend and neighbor Ann. It’s with a heavy heart that every morning as I walk by I remember she has gone. Oh how I miss her smile, her laugh, her frustration with politics, her love for all her family and friends, and the enjoyment of life she had living in our neighborhood always interested in what went on. Ever wanting to go out to a party. I’ll miss her walking by my study window with her two little friends Following her faithfully. They miss her to.
She was one of the kindest living person I have known
RIP Dearest Ann you are so missed
Such a tremendous loss for the family she loved, the community she served so well and all her friends in the BHS Class of 1972. We will remember her fondly. Sincere condolences to her extended family.
Sally Ingalls Rudd
from
McKinney, Texas 75072 June 10, 2021
Darling Anna.... to one of my dearest childhood playmates, meandering the hills and dales of Bedford Heights as very, very wee tots. Susie and I have wonderful memories spending time in your mother's kitchen, entranced as we all were, with her inviting smile and utterly charming Aussie lilt. I remember too scampering at Mach 14 thru the backyards of our many neighbors up and down the hill with only mischief on our minds.... Chauncey and Ad Waterbury must have been saints! Love you, Anna. Sally Ingalls
Ann was taken away all too soon. After caring for her elders and raising her 3 children along side husband Bob, both then started embracing and enjoying their grandchildren.
Ann will be missed by all.
Ann was the brilliant light in every room. She leaves behind a legacy that shall be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Carol
Danette Gore/Melvin Meade
from
Whitman,wv June 10, 2021
To the Ford Family so sorry for your loss of a wonderful lady that I never know but have seen pictures of you on my niece's page "Hollie Hager Ford" my in rest in peace
Born on May 2, 1954, in Bedford, Indiana