Ann Adele Ford
Born on May 2, 1954, in Bedford, IndianaDeparted 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.