Opal Irene Hill Ford, 90, peacefully departed on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at home after a lengthy illness in Port Arthur, TX. She had been the epitome of grace and humility throughout her life and especially during her illness.

Mrs. Ford, a native of Denton, TX, relocated to Port Arthur after graduating Cum Laude from Prairie View A & M University in 1946, where she earned a degree in nursing. After graduation she accepted a position with Port Arthur ISD as the school nurse at Lincoln High School. Shortly thereafter, she married Eugene Ford, Jr. The couple united and maintained membership with Rock Island Baptist Church where she served for years as a Sunday School teacher to seniors and teens, a deaconess, and a member of the missionary society. In later years, she also attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church with her brother.

For a period of time, Mrs. Ford, the first black licensed nurse in Port Arthur, was employed with St. Mary Hospital holding a position as an assistant instructor in the nursing department and surgical supervisor in the 1950s. Her career with PAISD included service as school nurse at Lamar, Carver, and Wheatley Elementary Schools and later as Health Occupation instructor at Stilwell Technical Center. She retired after 38 years of service.

Devoting her time and energy in helping underprivileged students, Sis. Ford founded the Child Service League, a non-profit organization of educators who provided for needs that prevented commitment to education and the development of talents. She was a lifelong learner and held certificates of completion in her field from Texas Southern University, Texas Women’s University and Lamar University in the nursing and education fields.

During her collegiate and professional careers, Sis. Ford earned several honors including Outstanding Senior, Prairie View University, 1946; Woman of the Year, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, 1969; Vocational Teacher of the Year, 1980; and Teacher of the Year, Stilwell Technical Center, 1984.

Mrs. Ford was a devoted wife for 64 years to Mr. Ford until his death. Also preceding her in death were her parents T.C. And Othello Hill; brothers T.C. Hill, Jr.; and Col. Major Fred (Lavicia) Hill. She leaves to cherish her memories her brother Joe (Modestine) Hill of Port Arthur, and a sister Norvelle Williams Reed of Denton, TX, as well as her four beloved children, Donald Eugene Ford of Beaumont, TX, Wanda Jean (Don) Wesson of Dallas, TX, Francis Craig (Sheryl) Ford of Houston, TX, and Sandra Gail (Lawrence Patrick) Castille of Port Arthur, TX. Also carrying her legacy are 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren.

Family and friends will celebrate the life of Mrs. Ford, Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Rock Island Baptist Church with viewing from 9 am to 11 am and the funeral service at 11 am. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery under the direction of Gabriel Funeral Home in Port Arthur, TX.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly request donations to Prairie View A & M University, College of Nursing, Attn. Dean Betty Adams, 6436 Fannin St., Houston, Texas, 77030, in the name of Opal I. Hill Ford.