Bess Hurley Ford Smith died Friday, April 28, 2017 surrounded by her family at her residence in Huntsville, AL. She was born in Vicksburg, MS and moved to Huntsville in 1954 and attended Huntsville High School where she made lifelong friends. She continued those friendships and made great memories with her closest friends which were lovingly called the “Bridge Club”. She attended Agnes Scott and Ole Miss and then made her debut the following year in Jackson, MS escorted by her fiancé, John N. Smith. They were married in 1961 at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Vicksburg, and moved to Huntsville to make their home. She was a lifelong member of the Church of the Nativity, Episcopal. She will be remembered for her selfless love of family and friends and her kindness to all.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Abbott Ford, Sr. and Evolyn Sparks Ford Thompson, and her brother Robert Abbott Ford, Jr. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, John Norman Smith; their children, John N. Smith Jr. and Elizabeth Emerson (Matt); brother, Thomas Sparks Ford (Mel); as well as nieces and nephews.
The family will be receiving friends in Ridley Hall at the Church of the Nativity on Wednesday, May 3rd from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Rev. Rusty McCown will be officiating the funeral service at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery
Flowers may be given or donations may be made to the Church of the Nativity, Episcopal, A New Leash on Life, or Huntsville Botanical Gardens.
