Ruby Jean Neel Ford

Ruby Jean Neel Ford, 101, of Owensboro, passed away peacefully at her home on October 12, 2025. She was born March 1, 1924, in West Point, Kentucky, the eldest of three children of the late Harry Hoover Neel and Hilda Duncan Neel.

Jean was a proud graduate of Owensboro High School. After graduation, while working at J.C. Penney in Owensboro, she met her future husband, Wendell Ford. They were married on September 18, 1943, in Owensboro, at her parents' home. They moved in with his parents at the family farm in Thruston, where he continued farming. Wendell was called to service in the U.S. Army in 1944, and they lived for a time at Fort Hood, Texas. After Wendell was released from the Army, the couple returned home. Jean worked for the Daviess County Clerk’s Office and Wendell in the family insurance agency.

Jean’s life was one of devotion, partnership, and purpose. When Wendell served as National President of the U.S. Jaycees, the family lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in what was referred to as the “Little White House.” Later, as First Lady of Kentucky from 1971 to 1974 and then as the wife of a United States Senator, she was Wendell’s trusted confidante, campaign partner, and steadfast supporter. Throughout their years in Texas, Oklahoma, Frankfort, and Washington, D.C., Owensboro was always considered their home. Following Wendell’s retirement from the U.S. Senate in 1998, they returned to Owensboro to stay.

A gifted homemaker, Jean loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, and counted cross-stitch. She shared her talents generously, gifting countless baby booties, blankets, and sweater sets to family and friends. Her handiwork included crocheted afghans made for the U. S. Senate Wives’ Red Cross Group, which were presented as gifts to First Ladies Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, and Hillary Clinton. One of her crocheted bedspreads won a red ribbon at the Kentucky State Fair. She made many blankets for children’s hospitals and was a member of the Evan Shelby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Kentucky Democratic Women’s Club, and First Baptist Church of Owensboro. She enjoyed playing piano for Sunday School classes for many years.

Jean found her greatest joy in her family, she was a constant presence at her children’s sporting events, whether baseball, tennis, or golf. She was well known at the Southern Little League concession stand, PTAs, and other school events, doing whatever she could to help. She treasured summers spent entertaining her children and grandchildren in Washington, D.C. That same devotion and love extended to her great-grandchildren, who will always remember her warmth, humor, and kind spirit.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 71 years, Senator Wendell H. Ford, brother Jack Neel and his wife Maxine; in-laws Reyburn Ford and his wife Dot, and Betty Ford Sharpe and her husband Rex.

She is survived by her children Shirley Dexter and her husband Bill, and Steve Ford and his wife Sarah; grandchildren Emily Pendleton, Betsy Dexter, Clay Ford and his wife Diane, Neel Ford and his wife Sarah, and Morgan Ford; great-grandchildren Whitley Ford, John Clay Ford, Sutton Ford, Wynn Ford, Julia Ford, and Winnie Pendleton; her brother Dr. Don Neel and his wife Faye and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank her long-time caregivers, Nina, Kami, Linda, Tabitha, and Annie, for their kindness and comfort given to their Mother. She deeply appreciated them.

A private service will be held for the family. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery.

Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center, 600 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301, to First Baptist Church (Building Fund), 230 J.R. Miller Blvd, Owensboro, KY 42303, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Messages and condolences for the family may be offered at www.glenncares.com.