Elizabeth L. Ford, 106, died at The Grove, in Jacksonville, Illinois, on February 24, 2026. The only daughter of Ronald and Elzabeth (Shrive) King. She was born in Charleston on October 22, 1919. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Robert C. King, Max S. King, and Ronald H. King, Ronald was lost in World War II.

On July 15, 1942, she married Lt. Farrel S. Patterson, who later served as principal of Jacksonville High School until his sudden death in 1970. She was briefly married to Courtney Ford who died in 1979.

Surviving Mrs. Ford are her two sons, Ellis E. (Jeanette) Patterson of The Villages, Florida, and Roger K. (Nancy) Patterson, of Newport News, Virginia; four grandchildren, Brent (Kristi) Patterson of Wauconda, Illinois, Duane (Anne) Patterson of Olympia, Washington, Vanessa Patterson DiLeo of Ashland, Virginia, Chelsea Patterson Kazmier of Satellite Beach, Florida; and seven great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Ford received her formal education on the campus of what is now Eastern Illinois University. She attended the Training (elementary) School, Teachers College High School, and received her Bachelor's Degree in Education from then Eastern Illinois Teacher's College. Betty graduated from Eastern and taught one year of Home Economics and English before her marriage. In 1974, Betty earned her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Illinois University. She returned to teaching in 1959 during a severe teacher shortage where she taught Kindergarten and a transitional first grade at Jefferson Elementary School in Jacksonville before retiring in 1980.

Mrs. Ford and her husband joined the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville in 1948, and Betty remained an active member for 77 years, serving as Sunday School and VBS teacher. She frequently gave children's sermons during Sunday morning worship. She was active in the American Baptist's Women's Ministries and the Peggy Smith Circle. She was a long-time member of the Fellowship Commission and for many years helped deliver Doorbell Dinners.

She was a member of the James Caldwell Chapter NSDAR, she served two terms as Regent, held many other offices, and worked to preserve and restore the Governor Duncan Mansion Chapter House. She served on the Board of the Governor Duncan Association, a support group to involve the community in saving the historic home.

Betty was active in the local AARP chapter, in the Morgan Scott Retired Teachers Association, and was a life member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association.

She was a thirty-year member of the Bob Freesen YMCA and served on the board for four years. For many years she was a member of the History Class, on of Jacksonville's early education societies for women. Near to her heart was her 55-year membership in Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society for women educations.

Mrs. Ford enjoyed family and friends, reading and writing, cooking, and the many wonderful opportunities for entertainment and service which her beloved Jacksonville provided.

Cremation rites have been administered per Mrs. Ford's wishes. A celebration of life will be on April 25, 2026, at 1:30PM at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville. The family will meet with friends and family from 12:30PM until the time of service. There will be a private family graveside at Memorial Lawn at a later time. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville building fund or to the James Caldwell Chapter NSDAR Restoration of Duncan Mansion Fund. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.