Evangelist Willie May Ford

Willie May Ford, age 89, transitioned to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

She was born on November 20, 1936, in Richmond County, North Carolina. She later resided in

Chester, Pennsylvania with her parents and was the only child born from that union. Willie May

was preceded in death by her parents, Lacey and Dotsie Dockery.

Her early life was spent in Chester, Pennsylvania, where she attended Chester County Public

Schools. During this season of her life, she married Boston Ford Jr, and from this union, two

daughters and one son were born. Later, Willie and Boston joined Bethany Baptist Church in

Chester, Pennsylvania, where they were baptized together.

Willie May worked faithfully as a psychiatric attendant at Delaware State Hospital from 1966

until 1991.

In 1962, Willie and her husband moved to New Castle, Delaware, where they made their

permanent home. Together, they joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend

A.D. Wilder. She became an active member of the Senior Choir and the Missionary Circle and

was instrumental in various fundraising projects, including the Miss United Baptist Contest.

Willie helped raise the highest amount of funds for her daughters, who were contestants and

winners representing Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

In 1984, Willie May’s husband, Bishop Boston Ford Jr., founded Outreach Baptist Church. She

became the First Lady and was often referred to as her husband’s strong armor bearer, a

testament to her strength and ability to carry the responsibilities that come with leadership in the

army of the Lord. On any given Sunday morning or afternoon service, her powerful testimonies

could be heard as she humbly acknowledged her faults and failures while giving thanks to God

for restoration, as referenced in Psalm 51:12–13.

Willie May served faithfully alongside her husband at Outreach Holy Word Christian Church,

assisting in every capacity needed. The Lord anointed First Lady Ford to teach the Youth Bible

Study class, New Members class, Missionary Circle Bible class, and Adult Sunday School class.

She also sang soprano in both the Senior Choir and the Mass Choir. Additionally, she was

instrumental in coordinating fundraising efforts for Outreach Baptist Church. Lady Ford also

faithfully served in the church kitchen, helping prepare meals for visiting churches, and was

especially known for her dandy tasting sweet potato pies.

While hospitalized at the Crozer Chester Burn Center following a fall, Evangelist Willie May

Ford joined Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church. After Dr. Dunnigan prayed for her, she

expressed her desire to become a member, and she was received into fellowship at that time.

First Lady Ford was immensely proud of her anointed children, all of whom have, at various

times, served and blessed the ministry at Outreach. She often shared how she prayed for each

child while carrying them in her womb, asking God to anoint them, gift them, and equip them for

His service. The Lord answered her prayers and blessed her and Bishop Ford with Pastor Sherry

Weathersby, Evangelist Serena Ford, and Pastor David Ford. She was also deeply thankful and

proud to have been married to her husband, Bishop Boston Ford Jr., for 69 years.

In her later years, Evangelist Willie May accepted the call to preach the Word of God. She was

licensed to evangelize, teach, and preach the gospel by her husband, Bishop Boston Ford Jr., and

Apostle John T. Graham. She carried a mandate to minister the Word of God in churches, on

Channel 28 Comcast Cable as a LAPA TV host of her program “Soul Food and Living Waters,”

and at Easter Seals, all within the state of Delaware. Throughout her ministry, she received

numerous certificates, acknowledgments, and awards in recognition of her dedication and

faithfulness to preaching and teaching the Word of God.

Evangelist Ford leaves to cherish her precious memories her loving husband, Bishop Boston Ford Jr.; three

children, Pastor Sherry Weathersby (Arthur), Evangelist Serena Ford, and Pastor David Ford

(Sharon); eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two

sisters-in-law; and a host of loving relatives and friends.