Willie Frank Ford

Willie Frank (Mrs. “Henry”) Ford. August 14, 1913 – June 6, 2007 The death certificate says our precious Mother and “Mur” died in Dallas on June 6, 2007, but to paraphrase the famous evangelist D.L. Moody she is more alive than ever. She is out of an old clay tenement into a house that is immortal – a body fashioned like unto His glorious body. Now in the presence of her Savior, her arrival was celebrated by F.B. “Henry” Ford (husband of 58 years), Carolyn Francis (daughter) and a host of friends she loved and cherished. Willie Frank was born in Memphis, Texas on August 14, 1913. Now that she is with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords she would tell us not to focus on her beauty or growing up on a ranch in the Panhandle or being White Deer, Texas’ 1930 Football Queen or the various church, school and civic organizations she served as president during her 55 years in El Paso. Instead she would want us to point people to her Savior. Those still here that were blessed to be in her family are her son, Richard Ford and wife, Julie; granddaughters Wendi Kesler and husband, David; Meredith Webb and husband, Brian; all of Dallas; grandson, Arlie Francis and wife, Noemi, of San Antonio; grandson Mark Francis and wife, Amy, of Seguin; son-in-law Dan Francis and wife Robbie of Granbury; 10 great grandchildren: 4 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Preceeded in death by husband, F.B. “Henry” Ford; daughter, Carolyn Francis; parents, Ernie and Lillie Jones and sisters Cleo Terry and Ernestyne Pulse. These quotes from her family show some ways she pointed them to Jesus: “Joy ~ As she down sized from a large home to an apartment to a single room and lost her sight and hearing and even her freedom she would periodically tell us in a cheerful voice ‘This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!’” "Sparkling personality is the word I would use to describe Mur. Whenever we would visit or she would tell a story, there was always a smile on her face and a sparkle or twinkle in her eyes. Another big quality of Mur is that she LOVED her family and was extremely proud and wanted to show off her family whenever given the chance. I will always remember the times I spent with her in El Paso. That is the Mur I want to remember.” “Hope – She never lost her hope in the Lord and her sure position in Him, even when she didn’t understand why she lived so long. Hebrews 11:1” “Devoted – Her love for Granddad and for all of us was never questioned. She crammed that house and then the apartment with all of the pictures she could fit in. She always wanted to know about everyone and prayed for all of us. She was even devoted to her Cowboys, listening to games when she couldn't see them very well. We really could not have asked for more love and care.” “Sweet spirit – It astounded me that she knew the words to so many songs, and she would think of one and start singing it with joy in her heart.” “Strength – In spite of her small frame and quiet voice Mur was one of the strongest women I know ~ in her faith, in loving her family, in handling loss, in her witness.” “Giving – Sometimes Mur gave us gifts, but much more often she gave of her love, her attention to us, her joy in spending time with us, her prayers, and her concern for us. I was thoroughly loved by her and I knew it. I'm so grateful that God put me in this family with Mur as my grandmother.” “Hospitable – She loved to entertain like the man in Luke 14:17. A picture in her dining room showed a glorious banquet table in heaven with the caption “Come, for all things are ready now.” If you would like to learn more about our “Mur” join us in celebrating her “promotion to heaven.” Visitation on Sunday, June 17, 2007, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home, 480 North Resler; Memorial Service on Monday, June 18, 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church with Dr. Brodace Elkins, officiating. Hear Willie Frank tell her life story in her own words by going to www.arielm.org/wff/wff.htm. Memorials may be made to Trinity-First United Methodist in El Paso, or Ariel Ministries www.ariel.org, Arlie Francis, Executive Director, or Heritage Alliance www.heritagealliance.com, Richard Ford, President, or a charity of your choice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Entries found in Willie Frank’s Prayer Journal hand written a few months after she moved to Dallas for health reasons. Wed. August 11, 1999 - My Dear Jesus – today has been unsettling – but you are still in control. Thank you sweet Jesus. You know my emotions and high and low feelings. Give me strength to really turn it all to You and turn loose. I believe - help through my unbelief. I need an honest caring believing faith. I am so frail and really my only strength is that complete knowledge that in You I have strength and when I try to cope in my strength it’s just jello! Help me turn loose and be putty in your hands. August 12, 1999 - Sweet Jesus, thank you for this wonderful day – a night of sleep in comfort – in your care of my health problems as a wonderful gift as always comes when I really turn my life – my every move – my every (imagined) problem. You truly bless me in every thing – your wonderful gift of a loving call from Rich – a call from Arlie – calls from friends – cards and letters from dear ones – oh precious loving Lord – how I love You – shopping with dear Julie – the joy of selecting my birthday gifts – then feeling love and caring at the dinner hour with new friends. Oh Jesus, bless Bun and David – ease their pain and all their family – help me to know how to care about so many things that I am asked to be a mediator – I don’t know the answers but I can assure them you will be guiding them if only they let you! Me too! You are the answers! Praise you Father, Son and Holy Sprit. Amen. This was her prayer for her family. I pray each day that our dear Lord will work in all our lives to help us submit totally to His will that He may make us the perfect vessel to be used to glorify Him. May we lie placid in His dear hands to be shaped and molded to be used by Him in whatever way He chooses to use us. In his dear name I pray.