Shirley Mae Gardner Ford was born on January 30, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio to William Gardner and Lillie Mae Robinson Gardner. Shirley received her education in the Cleveland Public School System, and she later attended Cuyahoga Community College where she received her associate degree in Dental Technology. Shirley was employed with Dr. Rhodes and Rinaldi Associates and with Marino and Associates until her retirement, she did return on a part-time basis for a while until she fully retired. Shirley was married to Arthur Ford who preceded her in death. Shirley was the mother of 8 beautiful children: Cardell Gardner (Lee-Vall), Raymond Gardner (Gina), Marchelle Gardner (Albert Austin), Steven Gardner, James Gardner, Lisa Gardner, Darryl Gardner, and Nekita Ford. She loved her children and was a devoted mother until her death.

Amazing, thoughtful, caring, sharing, and giving are the words that describe Shirley the best. She had the most beautiful spirit and most infectious smile you could have ever experienced. Shirley accepted Christ at an early age at St. Timothy Missionary Baptist Church. She later attended Second Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church where she was a devoted member for over forty years. While at Second Ebenezer, she served on the “Number Two” Usher Board and sang with the Echo’s Choir. Shirley was also a huge sports fan. Be it the Browns, Cavs, or Guardians, she loved going to the games and watching them on television. She loved all kinds of music and would hum everything in the car, while saying, “that was my song back in the day”.

God called upon this angel to come home on November 5, 2023.

Preceding her in death were her parents, William and Lillie; brothers, Donald R. Gardner, and Charles E. Gardner Sr.; sisters, Rosina Washington, Karen Sweeney and Lillian Ponder.

She leaves to cherish along with her 8 children;  two sisters Marva Jackson (Oscar) and Nancy Malone (Robert); sister-in-law, Katie Smith; her grandchildren, Albert Jovan Austin, who preceded her in death, James Leftwich (Andrea), Steven J. Gardner (India), Jamal D. Austin, Jonathan D. Thornton Jr., Javone A. Williams, Cheniece L. Gardner, Michael A. Williams (Jamie), Demetrius J. Battle (Whitney), and Latoya Peacock;  along with 21 Great Grandchildren; and her great grandsons, Tre’ Anthony Leftwich and Jamari Dwayne Thornton; whom she did not meet she was an amazing Granny.

She also leaves to cherish her stepchildren Eric Grant (Crystal), Mitchell Grant, Casey Grant, Natalie Williams, Michael Grant (Cynthia), Michelle Grant, Marlon Grant and their mom and friend, Beverly Grant and all the others who called her, “Granny.”

A special thanks to Sharon Jones and to a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.