Monna Ford, age 88, of Texarkana, Texas, previously of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away Monday, July 20, 2026.
Monna Ford, age 88, of Texarkana, Texas, previously of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away Monday, July 20, 2026. She was born January 4, 1938 in Lawrenceville, Illinois, the daughter of Raymond Wampler and Pansy Bennett Wampler. She married James Seamon on March 30, 1956 and he passed away May 26, 1960. She married William Ford on July 17, 1965, and he preceded her in death on June 11, 2008.
Monna dedicated much of her life to caring for others, operating an in-home daycare from 1975 to 1983, where she lovingly cared for countless children. She later worked as a cook for the Unit 20 School District during the late 1980s and early 1990s, continuing to serve others through her work.
She will be lovingly remembered for her deep love of God, making peanut butter fudge, hard rock candy, and her handmade scrubbies. She never missed an opportunity to serve others, whether as a Sunday School teacher, Ladies Ministry President, or through the many fall festivals she baked for. She simply loved loving people.
Monna served and cared for others through her baking, knitting, and heartfelt prayers. She was the best wife, mom, grandma, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend anyone could ask for. Her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love touched countless lives, and she will be missed beyond measure by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
A devoted member of Hi-Way Church of God, Monna’s greatest joy was serving the Lord. Above all else, she was a faithful servant of God, and her faith was the foundation of her life and the source of the love, compassion, and generosity she so freely shared with everyone around her. While our hearts mourn her absence, we find comfort in knowing that she is now in the presence of her Savior. We can only imagine the joy of the moment she stood face-to-face with the Lord and heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23)
Preceding Monna in death were her parents; husbands; children, James Ford, William E. Ford and Keith Ford; siblings, Walter Wampler, Kate Higgins, Norma Smith, Gail Wampler, Lonnie Wampler, and Linda Potts.
Survivors include: children, Janet (Thom) Cody of Texarkana, Texas, Linda (Craig) Frazier of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Susan (Ron) Wall of Fenton, Missouri, Julia Hoalt (Jason) of Robinson, Illinois, Donna (Mike) Below of Greenwood, Indiana, Dan Burnett of Bridgeport, Ed (Brenda) Burnett of Lawrenceville, Susan (Bruce) Townsend of Memphis, Tennessee, Paul (Jason) Ford of Marion, Illinois; siblings, Thelma Gibson of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Lee (Frannie) Wampler of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Donna Yarber of Linton, Indiana, Jim Wampler of Lawrenceville, Ron (Marlene) Wampler of Springfield, Illinois; eighteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, July 27, 2026, 12:00 p.m. at Hi-Way Church of God, 10611 Kaskaskia Lane, Lawrenceville, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. till the service hour of 12:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Lawrenceville City Cemetery.
