Nettie Ford

DYER CHAPEL-Nettie Elizabeth Grimes Ford, age 93, departed this life on October 11, 2024, to her heavenly home from her home in Cookeville, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in the Hudgens Community of South Putnam County on July 10, 1931, to William Eldredge and Margaret Jane (Maggie) West Grimes. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Dewey, Norvel, Henry, Grady and Dempsey Grimes and two sisters, Marie Southgate and Louise Wilson, her husband, James (Chuck) Ford and two children, James Robert (Bobby) and Pamela Ford (Don) Pulley. She leaves behind three children, Deborah Ann Ford Crunk, Kimberly Ford (Jim) Murphy, and Karen Ford (John) Joyce; son-in-law, Don Pulley six grandchildren, Allison Pulley Hopper, Jessica (Daniel) Pryer, John Daniel (Chanel Wagoner) Joyce, Nathan (Bethany) Crunk, Ashley (Andy Carmichael), and Zackary Crunk. She has eleven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Pulley, Kayla Hopper, Ty Hopper, Cole Pryer, Natalee Crunk, Sloane Crunk, Ford Crunk, Bekki Wagoner-Jones, John Paul Joyce, Liam and Lyle Carmichael and two great-great grandchildren, Kaiden Pulley and Ghadi Malone. A special brother-in-law, Francis (Turk) Therkelson will also miss her dearly. She leaves behind two sisters-in law, and a multitude of nieces and nephews and their families. She also leaves behind a beloved cat, Chester.

Nettie was a wonderful and loving mother, a friend to all, and a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. She was a longtime member of Stevens Street Baptist Church. Nettie was an example of what God asks of us and is made evident in one of her favorite Bible verses, Micah 6:8 “to act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

She and her husband, Chuck, lived in Hazel Park, Michigan during the early part of their marriage and returned to Tennessee in the 1950s. She worked at Kern’s Bread Store and then began driving a school bus for Putnam County in 1966. She loved being a bus driver. She once parallel parked her 86-passenger bus in downtown Nashville in front of the Sheraton Hotel and all the doormen and porters gave her a standing ovation. In 1978, her bus caught on fire during a school trip. She safely and calmly got every child and the teachers off the bus then got back on the bus and put the fire out. For that act, she received a commendation from the Governor of Tennessee. In 2022, the Algood Quilt Show displayed a collection of her beautiful quilts.

After she retired from driving, she worked at a small laundry for several years. She was a hard worker, both on the job and at home. She was an excellent quilter, seamstress and gardener, an avid reader, and enjoyed traveling. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends. She was a trustee of West Cemetery (Putnam County) which she enjoyed even as her health kept her from other pursuits.

Funeral Services will be held at Dyer Chapel of Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 15th at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will follow at West Cemetery in Putnam County. Pastor Tim Frank will officiate.

Her family will receive friends Monday evening, October 14th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. until service time at the Dyer Chapel.

Serving as pallbearers will be Duane Grimes, John Daniel Joyce, Andy Carmichael, Nathan Crunk, Zachary Crunk, and Allen Rezny. Honorary pallbearers will be John Joyce, Jim Murphy, Bill Grimes, Bobby McCaleb and Don Pulley.

In lieu of flowers, she had requested donations be made to West Cemetery, C/O Sharon Howard, 4499 Old Bridge Rd., Cookeville, TN 38506.

Dyer Chapel of Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-7158. 

Share memories and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.