Joan Ford

(From Knell Mortuary)

Joan Ford, age 90, passed away peacefully with family at her side on September 14, 2023, at The Arbors in Joplin, Missouri. She was born January 16, 1933, in Aurora, Nebraska to Weldon and Divera Carnes (both deceased). 

She is preceded in death by her brother Ronald Carnes. 

She married Larry Ford in November of 1967 who preceded her in death on June 2nd of 2021. He was the love of her life; they were married for 53 years.

Her spirit is carried on by her children/step-children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Mike Kinney (children Jeff); Dale Kinney; Shelly Thomas (husband Bill Thomas, children La Shell and Billy, great granddaughters Illeana and Davina); Dr. Tucker Ford (wife Dr. Stacie Ford, children Harrison and Garret); Step-children Larry W. Ford, deceased 2023 (wife Barbara Ford, children Nick Ford, Justin Long, Jennie Dalton (Lester), Brittany Sargent (Isaac), Michelle Ford); Dr. Lance Ford (wife Teresa, children Luke); Leslie Ford (husband Todd Quarton, children Anna Belle Iles (deceased 2001) and Katie Mae Norris (husband Eric)); Lindell Ford, and Laurie Montgomery-Houston(husband Jay, children Timothy and Lacy. 

There are many sister/brother in-laws, friends, and family too numerous to list, but not forgotten. She will be missed as a loving mother, caring friend, and funny grandmother/great grandmother.

She loved bowling in a league with her best friends and painting in her younger days. Crocheting, going to church, baking, sewing, planting flowers, and sipping morning coffee were some of her favorite activities. Dancing was a big love all her life, she was still shaking those tail feathers up to her 90’s. As a memory patient at The Arbors in Joplin, she was a bit bossy until she passed. She had a nickname “Boss Lady” and a few other loving names by the nurses. They doted and loved on her till the end.

She was a natural caregiver to everyone. She loved the Lord with all her heart. If a verse suited her very well it is this, Ephesians 4:23 – “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

Please join us celebrating her life Friday, October 13, 2023, for graveside services at Fullerton Cemetery, Carthage, Missouri, and the inurnment of both Larry and Joan’s ashes together forever ♥. The time will be announced by the Knell Mortuary.




“What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller