Roberta Ford Obituary (1930 - 2024) - Ridgeland, South Carolina

Roberta Jane (Schweigert) Ford, born July 19, 1930, in Highland Park, MI, passed away in Ridgeland, SC, March 26, 2024, at the age of 93. She leaves behind four children: Cheryl Jean Barnes (North Carolina), Randolph Taylor Ford (California), Melissa Dorothy DeMonaco-Harrington (South Carolina), and Kimberly Ann Ford (Idaho). In addition, Roberta had eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Roberta was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Eugene William Ford, who passed away on November 25, 2018. Roberta grew up during the depression raised primarily by her single mother. However, she and her mother often lived with aunts, uncles and cousins, whom she loved very much. She met her future husband, Gene, at a dance at the age of 17, and by age 20 they were married. Living in Canada, three years after they married, Roberta gave birth to their first daughter, Cheryl. The small family moved to Michigan and that is where the family grew to 6. In 1971, because of a great career opportunity offered to Gene, the Ford family moved to Southern California and that is where Roberta remained until the age of 91. Roberta and Gene had a loving relationship but also endured some tragedies in the loss of their second born, a son, who passed away shortly after birth. In 1974, their son Randolph (Randy), suffered severe head trauma due to a fall from a cliff in Palos Verdes, California, when he was only 16. This brought much grief to the couple but they continued to stand by each other's side, and raised their two youngest children, Melissa and Kim. Throughout Roberta and Gene's marriage, they had the passion of travel and together they went all over the world...by planes, trains and ships...primarily after Gene retired. A few years after her husband's passing, Roberta decided she wanted a better life and moved closer to her daughter, Melissa, and son-in-law, Otto Harrington, near Beaufort, South Carolina. There she flourished living independently at Okatie Pines, and making great friends. Her trio of gal pals were lovingly dubbed "The Golden Girls" by all that new them. Roberta's health started to decline and in early March of 2024, she was hospitalized and it was discovered that the lesions in her brain had enlarged. Her final days were spent at Caroline's Cottage through the Friends of Carolina Hospice, where she received incredible and loving care. Roberta should be remembered as courageous, resilient, brave, smart, witty, and loving. Her family and friends will miss all of those things about her. RIP Bobbie... Click this link to view additional details about Roberta's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/roberta-ford