Lucille V. Ford March 06, 1922 – May 24, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card In the early days of March, 1922, Marvin and Sylvia Van Buskirk brought new life into the world when Lucille V. Ford was born. Avard, Oklahoma was the first place Lucille would call home, but definitely not the last. For ninety-seven years, the world was graced with her quick wit, stubborn independence, and ornery nature, traits she passed down to the generations that followed after her.
She passed away on May 24, 2019, leaving an outstanding history full of love, dignified sarcasm, the thrill of living, and embracing the beauty of the things you find most fulfilling. Lucille was born the youngest child and only daughter in her family of five. This being said, she was always indulged by her parents and brothers.
Raised on a farm, hard and dirty work alongside her brothers, Dean and Homer, was part of her everyday life. The traits and values she learned from such an early age helped her achieve the life she built for herself in later years. Growing up in Attica, Kansas, she was active in school, playing both piano and the base fiddle, though the later was not by choice and merely the fact that there was nothing else left to choose from.
She graduated from the Sharon, Kansas High School in 1940, still playing that “giant violin”. The Van Buskirks then moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1941, where Lucille was hired as one of the many Rosie the Riveter at the Boeing Air Plane Plant as World War II raged across the ocean. After the war ended, Lucille went on a much deserved vacation to see her brothers in sunny California, so her love for traveling to new and exotic places began.
There she would meet a friend of theirs who would later become her husband, Tom Ford. In 1947, Lucille and Tom were married in Eureka, California. That day, not only did she become a wife, but now filled the role of mother to a beautiful daughter from Tom’s previous marriage.
After the birth of their first son, Garry, the little family of four moved back to a familiar place for Lucille, Wichita Kansas, where they lived until 1960. While living in Wichita, the family grew as two more sons were added, Greg and Randy. In 1960, the now family of five, moved to Oklahoma where they bounced around from Ada to Eufaula and Krebs, finally settling in McAlester.
McAlester quickly became home for Lucille and she readily became an active part of the community. She became a member of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, where she was very involved and volunteered for countless events over many years. Lucille was an outreaching arm of the Bereavement Committee, Chairman for the ever festive Christmas Bizarre, and Chairman of the Lydia Circle.
Also a member of Fellowship Class, and volunteered at the Book Revive and Style Show. She delivered Meals on Wheels, worked diligently at Mercy Clinic, was treasurer and secretary of the Garden Club, always a bright face as a Welcome Wagon Hostess, and was Fourth Ward Coordinator for three years. Lucille was a member of BPW from 1979 to 2002, and held several offices during her time there.
Last, but certainly never the least, she was a member of the Red Hat and Pricilla Club. Along with all of this volunteering and fearless leadership, Lucille was employed as an Assistant Merchandiser at J.C. Penney’s for eighteen years, and retired from there in 1987. She was a devoted caregiver for a McAlester couple for five years and a persuasive Tupperware saleswoman.
One of her most enjoyed hobbies was traveling. Lucille saw places some will spend their whole life longing to visit such as Florida, the Bahamas, Hawaii, Washington D.C, New York, Ohio, the breathtaking Grand Canyon, and many others all accompanied by church friends, friends acquired from day-to-day encounters, and family. Her free time was spent reading, crocheting, mastering crafts of all kinds, playing cards like a pro, enjoying board games, and as a secret casino patron.
With all of this in mind, it can be said of Lucille that the most fulfilling part of her life was being a mother and grandmother. Her family was her focus and the true joy of her days. She loved little else more than spending time with her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She shared her love of playing piano, games, and crafts with her grandchildren and great-grands. The most fondly remembered was the art of making homemade Play-Doh, playing dominos, trying to teach Rummikub, and the passing on family recipes. Lucille never missed a moment to pass down a potential new hobby and make memories along the way.
For the last three years she called McAlester Nursing and Rehab Center her home. While there, she was tenderly looked after by a wonderful team of caregivers. Participating in most activities, including but never limited to, bingo, dominos, playing cards, and being the life of every party.
She took pride in having the most decorated room, and readily spoke of and showed her view outside that was the most decorated and bird-active area on the grounds. It could always be said of Lucille that any place she occupied was the place that you found the most life and activity abounded. Isn’t it beautiful how some things never change?
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Bishop Chapel of Memories with Dr. Matt Judkins officiating. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory.
Pallbearers will be the grandchildren of Lucille Ford. Memorials may be made to the McAlester Nursing and Rehab Center Activities Fund.
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