Wilda Bernice Bevins Ford

FORD, WILDA BERNICE BEVINS - age 94, of Farragut, departed this life peacefully on November 30, 2010 at NHC Healthcare, Farragut. She was born December 7,1915 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Wilda grew up on a 700-acre farm that her father and mother purchased in 1912 in what was to become the Farragut community. She graduated from Farragut High School and attended Carson Newman College. She was a second-grade teacher for over 20 years at Farragut Elementary school. Wilda and her husband joined Concord United Methodist Church (CUMC) in 1947. Wilda contributed in many ways to the life of the church congregation. Through the years, she served as Sunday school teacher, counselor in the youth department, devoted member of the Methodist Women's Lydia Circle, and tireless worker at church activities. She was a member of Bearden Order of Eastern Star for over 50 years. Preceded in death by parents, Phillip Wheeler and Elizabeth Virginia Combs Bevins; husband of over 66 years, Walter E. Ford, Jr.; sisters Lelia Larkey, Eva Henry Smith, and Bordie Belle Householder; and brothers Lloyd, Garnie, Speigle, Bob, Errette, and Crichton Bevins. Wilda is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Eddy and Linda Ford of Farragut; 11 special nieces and nephews; and many extended family members. Wilda was a loving and supportive wife and mother. Many of her former second grade students told her over the years that she was their favorite teacher. The family wishes to express deep appreciation to the staff at NHC Healthcare, Farragut for their loving care and kindness to Wilda for the past eight years, and to Wilda's many friends who visited her frequently and corresponded with her over the last years of her life, including: Clara Ansink and Cubby, Joann Nelson, Charlie Kuykendall, Josh Frankhouser, Bobbie Himes, Robert Jackson Bevins, Julia Paschal, the late Rev. Doug Crowder, and CUMC ministers, past and present. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m., Friday, December 3, 2010 at Rose Mortuary's Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200, Kingston Pike, Knoxville. A private committal service will be held at the Concord United Methodist Church columbarium with Rev. Brent Hall, CUMC Senior Minister, officiating. The family requests that memorial donations be made to Concord United Methodist Church building fund, 11020 Roane Drive, Farragut, TN 37934. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com.

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Wilda Bernice Bevins Ford

December 7, 1915 - November 30, 2010