Anita Marie Ford, age 81, of Springdale, Arkansas passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026. She was born on August 21, 1944, in Fayetteville to Wade and Ida (Snodgrass) Gabbard.
She graduated from Fayetteville High School before working at Standard Register. After a short time, Anita worked at SWEPCO as an Office Manager and in Customer Service/ Marketing where she retired after 42 years of service. While at SWEPCO, Anita served on the Salvation Army board. Anita was a long time member of Cross Church in Springdale where she enjoyed being a part of the Senior Adult Sunday School class. Her hobbies include gardening and travel.
She was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband of 56 years, Henry Ford. Anita was survived by her two sons; Gordon Ford and his wife, Melissa, of Boyd, Texas and Bryan Ford of Fayetteville; one sister, Juanita Reed of Fayetteville; four grandchildren, Joshua and Justin Ford, both of Boyd, Texas, McKenzie Hart and her husband, Josh, of Fayetteville, and Kaylee Thomas and her husband, Hunter, of Fayetteville; and two great-grandchildren, Harper and Bo Thomas, both of Fayetteville.
Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Anita’s name to alz.org or to Cross Church, 1709 Johnson Road, Springdale, AR 72762.
To place an online tribute, please visit bernafuneralhomes.com.