Obituaries

Jean Ann Ford Perry

Photo of Jean Ann Ford Perry
Jean Ann Ford Perry, 80, passed from this life on Sunday, March 18, 2012, at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith, Ark. Born a Razorback, Jan. 12, 1932, in Little Rock, Ark., to John Wayne and Agnes (Pete) Bautts Ford, Jean graduated in 1948 from the University of Bacone in Muskogee, Okla. Her first taste of Texas came when she accepted a position at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Lubbock, Texas. Having traveled all over the country and treasuring every new experience, she loved calling Texas home. Once introduced by his older sister, Wanda, Jean met and married Elvis Arthur Perry, Sept. 13, 1958. Mom never failed at anything that she set out to accomplish, as was the case when she became a mother for the first time in 1959. From that point on, all of her talents, education and experiences were put to good use as she completely focused on raising her children and maintaining a household for her husband and family. Upon his retirement in 1987, Elvis opted to relocate to Oklahoma. Much to her chagrin, Jean, of course, went along with his plan — reluctantly becoming an Okie and leaving her beloved Texas behind. In her 80 years of life, with the grace of an angel and the strength and intimidation of a charging bull, Jean gave more of herself than thought to be humanly possible, having touched so many lives often without knowing. During a recent time of trial, she shared: God made me a promise…"nothing shall befall you but I shall provide a means of escape. You will not be tempted beyond your ability to endure." Now, I believe that, but only God and I will ever know how many times I have asked Him if He had me mixed up with someone else. I was convinced that He had the wrong person. But just like He promised, WE made it! Yes, Mom, we did make it, and mostly because of you. Now, reunited with our Elvis, you will continue to watch over us, admire us, singing our praises, often disapproving of our actions, while consistently loving and supporting us. You are forever in our hearts. Preceded, in death, by her parents, John and Agnes; and her husband, Elvis, Jean is survived by two daughters, Lisa and Dwayne Irby of Odessa, Texas, Colleen and Mark Scorgie of San Diego, Calif.; two sons, Weldon (Sam) and Katie Perry of Providence, R.I., Brad and Karen Perry of Flint, Texas; her sister, Mary Jo Bland of Milton, Fla.; her brother, John and Sara Ford of Rogers, Ark.; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. We would like to thank mom's nurses, Marsha Huffman and Lorie Parker — you are proof that there are truly angels on this earth. We will celebrate her life with a funeral mass at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 23, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church in Spiro, Okla., and bringing her back home to Texas to be laid to rest. Arrangements entrusted to Mallory-Martin Funeral Home, Spiro, Okla. In lieu of flowers, we request a donation, in her name be made to the Hembree Cancer Center at Saint Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith, Ark.

Published March 23, 2012

Upcoming Events