Evangelist Ford

Juanita Ford was born on June 5, 1930, in Portsmouth, Ohio as the firstborn child of Reverend William Nichols and Mrs. Novella Nichols. She was saved when she was 11 years old and was baptized in July 1940 at the Refuge Church of our Lord Jesus Christ by Elder Pernell under the pastoral leadership of Bishop R. C. Lawson in New York City. At the age of 11, on March 30, 1941, she received the gift of the Holy Ghost. When Juanita was young, her family moved to New York City, New York, where she attended the Public Schools of New York City. When her father was called to pastor the Bibleway World Wide Church in Akron, Ohio, the family moved to Akron. In those days, pastors had more than one congregation as did Reverend Nichols and the family went to church in Cleveland, Toledo, and Akron where Juanita was the musician and Sunday School Teacher at Jeriel Bibleway Church. Juanita attended and graduated from South High School in Akron, and attended the University of Akron. Juanita married Richard Lee Folds, Sr. and to this union five children were born, Barbara Jean, Richard Lee, Jr., Vertine Marie, Doretha Juanita, and Ronald Dwayne. After the passing of her mother, Mrs. Novella Nichols, she became the surrogate care giver to her younger siblings. Her youngest brother, Clyde, lovingly nicknamed her, "Darlings," she has maintained this nickname throughout her life. After raising her family, Evangelist Ford return to school and in 1992 received an Associate Degree in Religious Education from Berean Bible College. In 1973, Evangelist Ford married Elder Thomas E. Ford who prayed for God to clean up a crack house behind their home, and when it was vacated he bought it and in 1995 organized Redeeming Love House of Prayer where he pastored until his health failed and his death. Evangelist Juanita Ford carried on the work for five years. In this ministry Evangelist Ford was instrumental in witnessing, teaching, preaching, and being a mentor to many young men and women in the Akron community. In Akron, Ohio Evangelist Ford hosted a radio broadcast ministry entitled "Faith Talk" on radio station 570/910 WTBN. She ministered at Haven of Rest Ministries in Northeast Ohio executing her love for the poor, homeless, women and children in crises situations, and those who are spiritually destitute. As an extension of her heart and love for God she shared the love of Jesus Christ through her Prison Ministry at the Ohio State Prison, Oriana Halfway House for Women, and Hospital Visitations. Juanita worked as a Sales Representative for Life Magazine, Amway, and Avon. With a love for children she worked as a Para-Professional for 15 years in the Akron Public School District, Akron, Ohio. Dr. James E. Nichols the brother of Evangelist Ford pastored Prayer Chapel and Bibleway's Temple of Prayer in Cleveland, Ohio where she was a member and shared in ministry. Before the birth of Redeeming Love House of Prayer Evangelist Ford attended Zion Apostolic Church and when her health no longer allowed her to pastor, she united with First Apostolic Faith Church, Akron, Ohio. In 2010, her dream and desire to live in Denver materialize and she relocated to Aurora, Colorado and united with Redeeming Love Fellowship Church, under the pastorate of her brother Bishop Clyde R. Nichols Denver, Colorado. Juanita often spoke of her fond memories of living in New York, singing in the Youth Choir at Refuge Temple with her friend Dorothy Satchell who she referred to as "my friend since we were girls." Her friends were Phyllis, Pauline Brooks who she said she won to Christ with Sweet Potato Pies, Bishop Celia Ross and Emma Gardner. At Redeeming Love Fellowship Church in Denver Evangelist Ford "Mother Ford" as she is fondly called served on the Ministerial Staff, was the treasurer for the evangelism and outreach ministry, worked in the Love Kitchen, and the Victorious Women's Ministry. She received the Heroine of Hope Award from the Victorious Women's Ministry and certificates of appreciation for untiring service from the Josie M. Bedford Love Kitchen. Evangelist Ford was preceded in death by husband, Elder Thomas E. Ford; her parents, Rev. William and Novella Nichols; her sister, Viola Nichols; her brother, Dr. James E. Nichols; and her grandson, Marvin Pervall, Jr. Juanita Ford departed this life into the embrace of the Lord on November 8, 2016 in Aurora, Colorado. She leaves to cherish her memory three daughters and two sons, Barbara Scott, Elder Richard (Karen) Folds, Jr. , Aurora, Colorado, Vertine (Rush) Powell, Cleveland, Ohio, Doretha (Elder Michael) Williams, Akron, Ohio, Ronald Folds, Akron, Ohio; her siblings, Harold Nichols, Sr., Cleveland, Ohio, William (Sharon) Nichols Akron, Ohio, Bishop Clyde R. (Marsha Wade) Nichols, and Barbara Ann Nichols, Atlanta, GA; 21 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, goddaughter, Natasha Williams, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, some adopted children, and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 11/19/2016 at 12:00 PM - Redeeming Love Fellowship Church - 1201 West 41st Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 11/19/2016 at 2:00 PM - Redeeming Love Fellowship Church - 1201 West 41st Avenue, Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 11/19/2016 - Following the Service Redeeming Love Fellowship Church - 1201 West 41st Avenue, Denver, CO