Vera Dell Riser Ford

Vera Dell Riser Ford, 94, of Charleston, SC, widow of Joseph T. Ford, Sr. entered into eternal rest at her home on the evening of Tuesday, August 16, 2022.  Vera was born December 13, 1927 in Bowman, SC, daughter of the late Robert Tabor Riser, Sr. and Carrie Lee Riser (Crook).  She attended Memminger High School (1944); Vera earned a B.S. in Exercise Science at Winthrop College (1949), where she also served as editor of the college newspaper.

Vera taught Physical Education at St. Andrews Junior High.  She partnered with her husband and sons for many years in the family business, Joe Ford Construction Company. She enjoyed quiet hours reading and writing, especially poetry and letters to the editor. She was an avid golfer and gardener, with an affinity for marigolds. Above all, Vera was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. A fun loving, fiercely protective matriarch who persevered through life’s challenges by “getting up and getting going.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Tabor Riser, Sr and Carrie Lee Riser (Crook); her brother, Robert Tabor Riser, Jr.; her husband, Joseph T. Ford, Sr.; her sons, Joseph T. Ford, Jr. and John Patrick Ford; and one grandson, Mathew Alan Ford.

Vera is survived by two daughters, Susan L. ("Hank" Hofford) Ford of Charleston, SC and Vera Anne (Peter Lehman) Ford of Mount Pleasant, SC; eight grandchildren: Melissa Ann Commerford of Anchorage, AK, Anna Leigh Hofford, Jessica L. (Myles Brandt) Hofford, John Joseph Hofford, Elizabeth Tabor ("Nate") Laird, Carrie Lee (Jamey Hornett) Ford, Joseph Owens Lehman, all of Charleston, SC, and Mackenzie Durham Ford Lehman of New York, NY; seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Vera's name to Grace United Methodist Church (843-766-1621; https://www.mygraceumc.org/give) or the Lutheran Hospice (843-856-4735; https://www.lutheranhomesscfoundation.org/donate-now).  

Vera’s family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel.