G. Darlene Ford

Gloria ‘Darlene’ (Fryar) Ford, of Fort Gibson, was born February 12, 1949, in Braggs, OK to Vance and Vivian (McGuire) Fryar and passed away Monday, February 27, 2023, at the age of 74. She attended Ft. Gibson Public Schools, then pursued Cosmetology. Darlene married her best friend and the love of her life, Donald James Ford on Saturday, August 14, 1965, in Stilwell, OK. From this union three children were born, Shelley Dawn, Gary Paul and Andrea Jill. Darlene and Don shared more than 57 years creating beautiful memories together. Soon after Darlene and Don’s wedding, she began studying in the healthcare field at ICTC in Muskogee, where she obtained her Licensed Practical Nurse certification. Following this, she went to work at the Muskogee General Hospital, then went on to work for Dr. Reynolds’ as his office nurse. She furthered her education by going to Connors State College and Bacone, where she achieved her Registered Nurse degree. Upon graduation, she went to work at Tahlequah City Hospital, and later worked at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, retiring as a Medical Surgical Nurse in 1994. She was forced to retire early, due to physical limitations, after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She was proud of her Cherokee Heritage, and greatly enjoyed arrowhead hunting, coin collecting and metal detecting. Darlene greatly impacted countless lives throughout her service in nursing and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents Vance and Vivian Fryar; brothers, Gary Fryar, Quannah Fryar and Warren Fryar; sister, Barbara Ellis; and daughter-in-law, Stacie Ford. Those left to cherish Darlene’s memories are her husband, Donald of the home; daughters, Shelley Ford and Andrea Ford, both of Fort Gibson; son, Paul Ford of Fort Gibson; two very special grandchildren, Haley Nicole Ford McElroy of Broken Arrow and Logan Zane Ford of Fort Gibson; sister, Joyce Tolbert of Fort Gibson; and she also left behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Darlene’s name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Darlene’s viewing will be 12PM to 7PM with the family receiving friends from 5PM to 7PM Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home in Fort Gibson. A Celebration of Darlene’s life will be held 1PM Friday, March 3, 2023, at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tonna Jones officiating. Committal prayers and interment will follow at Citizens Cemetery in Fort Gibson with David Huggins, Mike Fryar, Gene Fryar, Billy Fryar, David Fryar and Michael Ellis serving as pallbearers. Stan Sisk, Larry Church and Lyle Tolbert will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family of Gloria ‘Darlene’ (Fryar) Ford has entrusted her care, service and burial to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left for the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com.

G. Darlene Ford

February 12, 1949 - February 27, 2023