JoAnn Ford's Obituary
JoAnn Branch Ford was born October 14, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Barnie Redford and Mary Alice Branch. In 1940, JoAnn and her beloved brother, Barney, moved with their mother to Longview. She graduated from Longview High School in 1954. Shortly after graduation, JoAnn married JC Ford on November 9, 1956, and they had three children together. JoAnn was very active in their lives, serving many years as PTA President and receiving a lifetime membership and achievement award. In previous years, she enjoyed garden club and women’s line dancing where she entertained at local nursing homes.
JoAnn was a longtime member of Mobberly Baptist Church, where she attended for over 50 years. She also enjoyed attending church at Arabella, led by Bro. Charles Hunt. Her strong faith in God was evident by all that knew her.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, JC.
She is survived by her brother, Barney Branch, and sons, Scott and Trey, all of Longview; children, Gregory Ford of Longview; Gail Ford of Las Colinas; and Jill Ford Goen and husband, Jeff, of Flower Mound. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Tiffany Ford Tanner and husband, Ritchie, and children, Hayden, Ava, Eleanor, and Arden, of Longview; Whitney Ford Pickett and husband, Blake, and children, Preston and Grayson, of Austin; Chandler Goen of Austin; Kyndal Goen of Austin; and her special niece, Diane Ridings.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Samantha Gonzales for the care and love she provided to JoAnn in the final years of her life.
A celebration of life service will be held in the Chapel at Rader Funeral Home of Longview, Friday, May 1, 2026, at 2PM, with visitation beginning at 1 PM. Following the service, burial will take place at Memory Park Cemetery. For an online guestbook to sign as well as a livestream of the service, please visit https://www.raderfh.com.
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