Carolyn R. Ford went home to be with her Heavenly Father Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Marcella Post Acute Nursing Facility. Carolyn had suffered a major stroke in early January that had left her non-verbal and paralyzed on one side.
Carolyn was born in Roanoke, Virginia, the daughter of Lawrence Reynolds and Elizabeth Minnix. She met and married the love of her life Robert D. Ford (Bob) on April 7, 1961. The  couple had two children, Patricia Annette and Robert Dale Jr.
Carolyn worked as an electrician for GE and for NASA wiring on the Apollo Spacecraft to pursue her desire to become a nurse. Carolyn graduated first in her class at The Riverside School of Nursing. Carolyn worked for many years as a nurse in hospitals, doctors offices and as an instructor at the very school that she had graduated from before having to retire early due to health issues.
Carolyn was a born-again Christian who left Bibles that she had worn out in every room of her home. She attended Pine Chapel Baptist Church where she was a member of the choir. Prior to that, she was a youth leader, choir member and deaconess at Hampton Christian Church.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, and her brother-in-law, David A. Velsor.

Carolyn is survived by two children Patricia Kirkpatrick (Kyle) of Stafford, Virginia, and Robert Ford Jr. (Sher) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, a sister, Bonnie Sue Velsor of Hampton, Virginia, a niece, Karen Launa Velsor Umlang (David) of San Antonio, Texas, a nephew Andrew J.  Velsor of Hampton, Virginia, 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 PM. March 5, 2026, at Pine Chapel Baptist Church, 1544 Queen St, Hampton, Virginia, with internment to follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church at 11:00 AM prior to the service.

Please make all memorials to The Hampton Public Library.