Wilma Ford 

Wilma Lucille (Reeves) Ford was born Aug. 21, 1923, in Cowgill to Arthur F. Reeves and Etta M. (O’Dell) Reeves.

She attended eight years at a oneroom schoolhouse, Petetree; and four years of high school at Cowgill. She graduated in May of 1941 and married James W. Ford on Dec. 14, 1941 – one week after the Pearl Harbor attack. They were married almost 48 years when Jim passed away in 1989. There were no children born to this union.

After the war, Wilma lived in the Stet area from 1945 until she sold their farm and moved in 2020 to Westbrook, Ky.

During the time she lived in the Stet area, she worked as a cook for the school in Stet; and as a helper at Bales Hardware and Feed Store, later a grocery store. She then became post master for Stet when Ray Bales retired. She held that job until retiring in 2011 at age 88.

All her siblings preceded her in death: two sisters, Thelma Wheat and Flossie McElwee; and three brothers, Wilbur Reeves, Edwin Reeves and Robert Reeves.

She also had nine nephews and nieces, and three nephews who preceded her in death.

Surviving nephews and nieces include the following: Sandria Shields, Lowell (Emelda) Reeves, Velda (Rick) Conard, Larry (Sherry) Reeves and Tim (Vickie) Reeves. Those preceding her in death included J.W. McElwee, Ronald McElwee and Gary Reeves.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to New Hope Methodist Church. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 E. Main St.-P.O. Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

Visitation and funeral services were scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, at New Hope Methodist Church, Highway K, north of Richmond. The visitation was to begin at 10 a.m., with the services to follow at 11.

Burial was to be in Richmond Memory Gardens. Please share your memories of Wilma with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.