Rosemary Ford

1945 - 2025

Rosemary Moore Ford
April 17, 1945 – Oct. 22, 2025

Rosemary (Moore) Ford, aged 80, of Sallisaw, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Her life will be commemorated with a funeral service on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw, with burial to follow at the Sallisaw City Cemetery. The service is conducted under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.
Born on April 17, 1945, in Fort Smith, Ark., Rosemary was the daughter of Hattie Ream (Gilbert) Moore and Horace Adair Moore. She found joy and love in her marriage to Charles Tillmon Ford on September 9, 2000, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. An accomplished individual, she graduated from Sallisaw High School in 1963, where she was honored as "Miss Future Teacher" and recognized as "Most Popular". Rosemary continued her education at Oklahoma City University and Northeastern State University, ultimately earning her Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1967, with a Major in English and Minor in Business. She further pursued her passion for education, completing her Master's in Education at Oklahoma State University in 1970 and obtaining her school counselor certificate from N.E.O.S.U.
With a profound dedication to teaching, Rosemary influenced many young minds throughout her career, which included roles in schools in Roland, Alma, and Fort Smith, and concluded with her retirement from Sallisaw Public Schools. She also contributed her talents to Farmland Industries, Elias Law Firm, and The Law Firm of Jim Jones in Sallisaw.
Rosemary cherished her family, her work in education, and her love for travel. Her heart was also filled with compassion for animals, as she often opened her home to feline companions that she rescued and cared for.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Charles, and her daughter, Leilani Fullbright and her husband, Mike, all residing in Sallisaw. Rosemary was a proud grandmother to Kristen Adair Fullbright and Matthew Russell Fullbright. Additionally, she leaves behind her step-daughters, Jonie Shaw and her husband, Terry of Healdton and Tracie Nichols and her husband, Matt, of Knoxville, Ark., along with four step-grandchildren, Shawn, Tori, Trey, and Tyler, and numerous other relatives and friends who will remember her fondly.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents and a step-grandchild, Nick.
Active pallbearers at the service will include Mike Fullbright, Matthew Fullbright, Brent Dressler, Chris Creekmoore, and Ronnie Gilbert.
Family and friends are invited to visit during viewing hours, which will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw. The family will greet visitors from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions to be made to Sequoyah County Animal Advocates, Barking for a Cause Animal Rescue, or local school backpack programs.