Sylvester Ford, Sr.

Sylvester Ford, Sr. passed away on August 7, 2023, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Clara Adams Ford; three children, Catrina Ford Carter (Joel Carter), Sylvia Ford Blue (Randy Blue), and Sylvester Ford, Jr. “Deuce” (Ravettra Allen Ford); eleven grandchildren; his sisters, Ruby Webb, Allean Carter (Charles); his brother, Clarence Ford; and many nieces and nephews.

Sylvester Ford, Sr., also lovingly known as Coach Ford and ‘Big Time,’ was a long-time basketball coach at Fairley High School, where he won over 640 games and a state championship with his 37-1, 1993 team. Before Fairley, he coached at several Memphis schools, including Northside, Oakhaven, and Tech. In 2017, he was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame for his legendary coaching career. Outside the gym, he was a beloved educator and mentor to many students across Memphis, but he got his teaching start at Byhalia High School (formerly Henry High School) in Byhalia, Mississippi. A community man, member of Middle Baptist Church and family man, Coach dedicated his life to serving others as a Civil Rights Movement Activist, educator, friend, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

A proud North Memphian, Manassas High School, and Rust College graduate, Coach Ford was born January 20, 1937 and preceded in death by his parents; Willie Ford Sr. and Mary Ford; siblings, Willie Ford Jr, Henry Ford, Charles Ford, Steve Ford; and sister-in-law Jessie Ford.

A wake will be held on August 16 from 5-8 p.m. at Middle Baptist Church, 801 Whitehaven Lane, Memphis, Tenn. Viewing will be August 17 from 10 a.m.-12 noon at Mt. Olive Cathedral Church, 538 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Memphis, Tenn., with services at 12 p.m. Services will also be live-streamed on Mt. Olive’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Burial will immediately follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn.

paid obituary