Ralph L. Ford

Ralph Leonard Ford was born to Charles and Viola Ford on November 4, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio.

Ralph attended Pilgrim Elementary School and Champion Jr. High School.

He was employed for 33 years in Environmental Services at Riverside Methodist Hospital before retiring in 1999.

Ralph was a long-time-member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he would often play select gospel songs on his cornet for events held there. He was also a frequent visitor at Hebrew Baptist Church with other family members.

Ralph married Visola M. Brooks on April 20, 1967. He became a loving husband and father. The marriage lasted for more than fifty years.

Along with the ability to play several musical instruments, Ralph enjoyed staying busy with various tasks around his home. He would always face any work that needed done with determined intensity until he was satisfied with the results.

Ralph was also very generous, always willing to provide a helping hand to anyone that needed assistance. He was very special with unique skills, and will be greatly missed by all.

Along with his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Visola Ford, two sisters, Ernestine Crawford and Sylvia Craft, and one brother, George Carter.

Ralph is survived by his two sons, Edwin (Mary) Brooks and Farley Darnell Brooks, his sister, Charlotte Minnis, his grandchildren, Carmen (Lance) Davenport and Brenton Dana Brooks, and a host of other family members, friends and associates.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 10am to 11am at Newcomer NE Chapel, 3047 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43231 where a funeral service will immediately follow at 11am. He will be laid to rest at Union Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralph's honor to the American Cancer Society, East Central Division, 5555 Frantz Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43017.