Obituary - Vicki Lee Jester Ford

Vicki Lee Jester Ford. You may not know me, but, let me tell you, I’ve lived a wonderful life, and I’m not afraid to die – although I didn’t want to go quite yet. The world is filled with wonderful things and terrific people. There’s so much more to see and do: new people to meet, old friends to greet, more books to read, sewing to complete and grandchildren to help love and guide, but we all have to go sometime. I guess now was my time, August 20, 2021. Remember that life is short, and you need to make the most of each year, each month, each week, day, hour, and minute. Time is of the essence; make the most of it. And try to always look on the bright side.

I was born on April 16, 1945, in Ripon, Wisconsin, to Phyllis Jane Ritchie and Marvin Lee Jester. We came to Virginia what I was 20 months old, and here I’ve been ever since. I graduated from Longwood College (now University) in January 1967, and began my teaching career in Lexington, VA; then I came “home” to Henrico County where I spent the next 33 years teaching English at J.R. Tucker High School. Little did I realize in 1967, that my future husband was teaching next door to my classroom; but in June 1970, Henry E. Ford, Jr. of Glen Allen, and I tied the knot. We traveled many places for ten years, and then we had one daughter, Brooke Jennings, the light of our lives, and “settled down” as a family.

I have had many illnesses, diseases, accidents, and surgeries, during my lifetime, but by the grace of God I pulled through each and every one – until now. I’m lucky to have lived as long and as happily as I have.

I received my Master of Humanities degree from the University of Richmond in 1974 and went on to be the English Department Chairman at Tucker for about 20 years until my early retirement in 2000. Retirement allowed travel to England, Ireland, and Wales, as well as Florida, New York, and Wisconsin. Later, there were fun-filled trips to various places in North and South Carolina and to New England.

My loving husband, Henry, passed away December 10, 2014, and I have missed him every day since. About a year after his death, I got a rescue dog to help me survive the quiet. Jack Henry (Henry, get it?) brought me much joy although he couldn’t quite fill the void left by Henry #1.

Brooke married Hayden Scott Barnard on September 10, 2009, in Bermuda. What a beautiful, ocean-side ceremony. They gave me three wonderful grandchildren: Ford Scott Barnard, Ritchie Frances Barnard, and Linley Kate Jennings Barnard. They are, yes, even now, my pride and joy. What a wonderful family to be able to claim as my own! I’m not sure what my future holds, but if God is willing, I will be able to look over, protect them for a long time, and tuck them in each night. I’ll just say Avoir, Friends, Colleagues, Former Students, and Family; until we meet again. And, if you never met me, you missed a real treat!

In lieu of flowers, do a good deed for someone this week. Thanks! I’ll miss you all! Peace.

Ashes to ashes,
Dust to dust,
If a brain tumor didn’t kill me,
Then, what must?

Wonder if I’ll know?

The family would like to thank the teams at Visiting Angels and the Mercy team of Bon Secours Hospice for their support during Vicki’s final days. A celebration of Vicki’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Ave, Richmond, VA 23226.