Jesse Lee Ford, 80, of Potts Camp, MS passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at his home, surrounded by his family who loved him . He was born June 24, 1946 in Potts Camp to the late Mr. Robbie Ford and Mrs. Lela Mae Johnson Ford.

Jesse was a logger for many years and Pentecostal in faith.

Some people leave footprints on this earth that can never be erased, and Jesse Lee Ford was one of those people.

If you knew him, you knew he loved the simple things in life. He loved to hunt from sunup to sundown, fish whenever he could, and spend time collecting coins and pocket knives. You could often find him sitting under his pear tree, enjoying a little peace and quiet. And if he wasn't there, all you had to do was look around, because chances were he was out walking somewhere. He loved to walk, and he always had his Star chewing tobacco tucked away in his pocket. Those little things were what made him who he was, and they are the memories we will hold close to our hearts forever.

He was loved by so many, but his greatest love was always his family. The people he cherished most were his wife, his children, his siblings, his three granddaughters, and his six great-grandchildren. They were his pride, his joy, and a part of his heart that he carried with him every single day.

It's hard to put into words what it feels like to lose someone who has been such a special part of your life. The world feels a little different knowing he's no longer here with us. There will be days when we wish we could sit with him one more time, hear his voice, share one more story, or simply see him sitting beneath that pear tree. We will miss the little things that may have seemed ordinary at the time, but now mean everything.

Although our hearts are broken, we are thankful for the memories, the stories, the love, and the time we were blessed to have with him. His life was more than the things he loved to do. It was the family he built, the people he touched, and the love he left behind.

Jesse is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Evelyn Martin Ford of Potts Camp, daughters: Susan Counts of Missouri and Loretta McCollum of Potts Camp, brothers: Joe Ford of Pontotoc, Lawrence Ford, Earnest Ford, and Claudell Ford of Potts Camp and Walter Ford of New Albany, sisters: Mary Frances Jumper of Pontotoc, Willie Mae Gadd and Dorothy West of Potts Camp. He also leaves three grandchildren to cherish his memory: Christina Thomas, Terri Thomas and Jessica Floyd, and six great-grandchildren.

We hope there are endless woods to hunt, plenty of fish to catch, and peaceful places to walk wherever you are. You will forever be loved, forever be missed, and forever be a part of us.

Until we meet again, Jesse Lee Ford. We love you more than words could ever say.

Service will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at the Holly Springs Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will start at 12:00 followed by service at 2:00. Graveside service will follow at Bethlehem Methodist Cemetery.