Wanda Ford

Wanda Walthall Ford VIRGINIA BEACH - Wanda Walthall Ford, 87, previously of Virginia Beach, died after a 2-year battle with lung cancer at The Willows Presbyterian Senior Care in Oakmont, Pa., on Aug. 24, 2010. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis L. Ford; loving mother of Francis E.L. Ford Jr. and Lyndell Ford Glosser; beloved daughter of the late Artis Elledge and Lyndel Walthall; dearest sister of Mary Lou Elledge Javier, Carolyn Walthall Webb and Sandra Walthall Wallace; beloved grandmother of Trissa Ridgell Koda and the late Michelle Ford. She is also survived by her dear great-grandchildren, Allyson G. Koda, Taylor H. Koda, Samuel M. Koda; nephew, Miguel Javier; son-in-law, Daniel Glosser; and grandson-in-law, Samuel Koda. Born 1923 in Worthan, Texas, she spent much of childhood years living on the family farm in Athens, Texas. Mrs. Ford raised her two children in her husband's hometown of Baltimore and eventually lived and worked in the Washington, D.C. area. Wanda worked as a secretary for the War Department in World War II, later for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and retired from the American Physical Therapy Association in 1984 as membership director. She was a championship bridge player and Duplicate Bridge teacher. With a lifelong love of reading, she was highly self-educated. Painting, genealogy reseach, history, art, crossword puzzles and pets were among her many other interests. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Athens, Texas to be announced. Condolences may be sent to the email address wandafordmemories@gmail.com. Professional services entrusted to the care of Thomas M. Smith Funeral & Crematory Ltd., Blawnox, Pa.