Mary Dorothy McLaughlin Ford, 90, passed away Sunday, October 27, 2013 at Cleveland Pines Nursing Center in Shelby, NC. She was born April 1, 1923 in Nashville, TN to the late Andrew Erwin McLaughlin and Ruby King McLaughlin. She was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State College in Murfreesboro. Upon graduation she went to work for Remington Rand Business Machines in the Tabulating Department (the forerunner of the computer). While working in Houston, TX she met James Daniel Ford. They were married Christmas Eve of 1950 and made their home together in Falls Church and McLean, VA for 35 years. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Ford moved to Shelby to be near her Daughter.

PRECEDED: In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Ford was preceded in death by her brother, James E. McLaughlin 

SURVIVED: Mrs. Ford is survived by her son, James M. Ford of St. Petersburg, FL; her daughter Jayme L. Ford of Lynchburg, VA; her daughter Mary Ann Stark and husband Mike of Shelby; and her granddaughter Amy L. Stark of Shelby. Other surviving family includes her nephew, James P. Harrigan and his family of Costa Mesa, Ca; her nephew Stephen M. Harrigan and his family of Austin, TX; and her “adopted” second family, Brian and Vickie Dwan and their daughter, Callan of Shelby. 


SERVICES: A memorial service to celebrate the life of Dorothy Ford will be held Monday, November 4, 6 PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. 

VISITATION: Receiving of friends will follow the service in the welcome area of the church. 

BURIAL: Dorothy will be buried beside of her husband “Jim” at Arlington National Cemetery. 

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church. 

FUNERAL HOME: Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby