Baird-Freeman Funeral Home

221 North Meridian Street

Portland, Indiana 47371

260-726-7171

bairdfreeman@yahoo.com

Debra L. Ford, 72, of rural Portland, passed away Saturday morning August 30th at her home with her family at her side. Born March 6, 1953 to Keith and Joan Stein in Jay County. She married Dennis Ford on October 21, 1973 who survives. Also surviving are 3 children, Kerry Ann Guerrero (husband Mike) of Oviedo, Florida, Christopher Stein Ford (wife Mabel) of Celina, Texas, and Audrea Lynne Cayetano (husband Nick) of Indianapolis, Indiana. 3 grandchildren – Olivia Guerrero and Grayson and Luke Ford. Two sisters also survive, Connie Jarrell of Kokomo, Indiana and Cindy Tedder of Columbia, South Carolina.

Debra graduated from Portland High School Class of 1972 and was a proud member of the Marching Grenadier Guard Band. Debra worked several jobs after high school including CTS and Berco of Berne and up until last fall she and her mother cleaned several houses. She and her husband were also custodians of the First Presbyterian Church. But her favorite was being one of the ECE teachers at the First Presbyterian Church Preschool for many years. Debra was also very involved with the church, being a long time Sunday School teacher, where she had been a member since 1982. She kept her church decorated for each season.

Debra will be greatly missed by her family and by her church family and friends. A memorial service celebrating Debra's life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 402 N. Ship Street in Portland, IN. on Saturday, November 1st at 1 pm.  Baird-Freeman Funeral Home are handling the arrangements.

Donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Jay County Cancer Society, and Jay County Humane Shelter. Arrangements are being handled by the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home in Portland, IN.

Online condolences at www.bairdfreeman.com