Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard what God has prepared for those who love the Lord and on the morning of December 3, 2020, Mary Louise (McAtee) Ford, got to find out for herself. You can be sure that Mary was not disappointed. Born on September 28, 1932, Mary filled her years on earth with helping everyone she met. At six years old, Mary discovered that she had an ability to hear a song and pick it out on the piano. Recognizing that God had given her a gift, Mary volunteered playing for nursing homes, an adult daycare center, and for the Salvation Army at one of their senior centers (Danforth). Mary was about so much more than just her family and God gave her 88 years on this earth one for each key on the piano. Because my mother was about more than just her family, she often bought snacks and put them together in quart size bags to be handed out to the homeless. Her heart went way past the boundaries of just her family and people she knew. Mary felt the pain of strangers as well. Known for her beautiful handwriting, baking, and hospitality skills and resourcefulness, everyone always felt free to drop by Marys house whether you were in the family by blood, paper, or just a friend knowing that her gift of hospitality was always extended to everyone who walked through her door. Mary was on of those rare, gentle souls that didnt care about being the big noise in the room, relied on God and not manipulation, sought peace and not drama, and never exaggerated her accomplishments. She lived by Provers 27:2 Let another mans lips praise you and not you yourself. Helping her husband run a small real estate and insurance agency and later just insurance (Jack Ford Insurance) for 50 years, people would often deliver their insurance payment rather than mail it in just so they could see Mary who was always an empathetic, attentive listener. As a little girl my sister offered me $1.00 to start sleeping on the couch so she could have the bedroom to herself. Im sure all big sisters sometimes need a break from a little sister. At the time, I thought this was a great business deal because I would probably never make that much money again in my life. I wasnt wrong about it being the best business deal I ever made. By sleeping on the couch, Mary had extra, private devotional times with me and I can still remember my mother telling me about asking Jesus into my heart and praying a simple prayer that I repeated after her. In the natural, it looked like a mother and child saying words into the air but in another world God was sealing my adoption papers. Mother, because of that ordinary night on a regular couch in a common living room, I will see you again in a much more glorious place. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Bingham Ford; parents, James Coulter and Ada Belle McAtee; and her grandson, Michael James Ford. Mary leaves behind three children, Cindi Warner (Eric) of Norman, Larry Ford (Pam) of Edmond, and Debra Gibbons (Gary) of Yukon; numerous grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Mary is also survived by her brother, James Coulter McAtee, Jr. (Bonnie) of North Carolina; and sister, Ann Latcham (Don) of Georgia. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Agape Road Hospice House; a place where Mary spent the last week of her life in a home where she was bathed in peace. She was prayed and sung over, given the dignity and care she deserved, and where family was allowed to stay by her side. Special thanks also to Physicians Choice Hospice (k/n/a/Traditions Health) for their excellent, caring staff. Although Mary was surrounded by a lot of love, she felt sorry for elderly people that did not have anyone to speak up for them. In honor of Marys memory, please find an elderly person that needs a friend and let them know there is someone who cares and someone who will miss them when they are gone. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity, Book 3 Chapter 10). Marys earthly resting place will be Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. There will be a private graveside service for the family with a memorial to be held at a later date to honor this beautiful lady. . Private Services