Sandra Gail Merrill Ford

Sandra Gail Merrill Ford, 73, of Buncombe County, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on November 5, 2025. She was born on June 5, 1952, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville, NC.

Sandy lived her entire life in Buncombe County, where she devoted herself to her family, her faith, and the children she taught and loved. She was a 1970 graduate of A.C. Reynolds High School and earned a Bachelors' Degree from Mars Hill University in 1974.

In 1964, Sandy accepted Jesus into her heart and became a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. Over the years, she served faithfully in many capacities, including choir member, youth leader, Vacation Bible School Director, Sunday School Director and teacher, President of the Women’s Committee, and on the Pulpit Committee. Her deep faith guided every part of her life.

Sandy dedicated 30 years to teaching elementary school in Buncombe County, retiring in 2004. Twenty-seven of those years were spent at Pisgah Elementary, where she taught kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. Her caring spirit and patience left a lasting mark on countless children and families. Caring for children was truly her life’s mission.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mike Ford (2018), the love of her life. They met on a blind date in October 1975 to see Gone with the Wind and were married on February 12, 1977. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Bob Merrill (2021), Ruth Jones Merrill (1961), and Elizabeth “Lib” Merrill (2018).

Sandy found great joy in the simple things—reading her Bible, listening to hymns, spending time reading on her Kindle, and visiting daily with her family in Virginia via FaceTime. She loved cooking, helping others, and enjoying more than 30 years of summer family vacations at Fontana Lake. Above all, her greatest happiness came from being “Nana” to her grandsons, Lucas and Elijah, whom she lovingly described as “not spoiled, just very well accommodated.”

Sandy is survived by her son Joseph and his wife Becky, who was like a daughter to her, and their sons Lucas (13) and Elijah (11), all of Broadway, VA; her sister Pam Thielke and husband Tim of Fairview, NC; brother- and sister-in-law Gerald and Karen Keener of Clyde, NC; brother-in-law Rick Barnett of Clyde, NC; and her family through marriage David and Nancy Foster of Berryville, VA; along with many extended family members, including aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Special gratitude is extended to three people who were especially important in Sandy’s life: her sister Pam, for her daily love, care, and support; her niece Jamie Robinson, for her help and companionship; and her niece Jennifer Thielke, the family’s ringleader of fun and laughter. Your love and care made Sandy’s world brighter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:Black Mountain Home for Children at 80 Lake Eden RoadBlack Mountain, NC 28711.

Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday November 11th at 12pm at Wells Funeral Home of Canton. Family will receive friends one hour prior from 11 AM to 12 PM. Sandy’s final resting place will be at Old Thickety Cemetery in Clyde, NC, beside her beloved husband, Mike.

The care of Sandra Ford has been entrusted by family to Wells Funeral Home of Canton.