Eva Marie Nervis Farrish Ford 1931-2024

Eva Marie Nervis Farrish Ford was born October 10, 1931, and died February 15, 2024. She was adopted by Mariah and Louis Pink Nervis and raised in Issaquena County, Mississippi.

Eva Farrish Ford 1931-2024

Eva was baptized at an early age and became a member of Christian Home Baptist Church in Tallulah, MS. She joined Spring Hill Baptist Church in the early 1950s and she stayed a member until she became ill. Over the years she served in various capacities in the church. She was active in numerous community and political arenas and lived a fully productive life fighting for the rights of the less fortunate and veterans.

She was a trailblazer in health care and was proud of all she accomplished. Her work career was multifaceted. Before becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, she worked as a surgical nurse, Licensed Practical nurse then registered nurse. She was the first African American Family Nurse Practitioner in the State of Mississippi. She was also Supervisor at Mississippi Action for Progress Vicksburg, MS, Director of Family Health Service of Mississippi, and Director of Medgar Evers Comprehensive Health Center Fayette, MS. As a family nurse practitioner, she ran an independent primary care clinic at Kuhn Memorial Hospital, Vicksburg, MS. Also, she provided, coordinated, and consulted on the healthcare needs of veterans in her spinal cord injury clinic, the anti-coagulant clinic, and the chronic neck, and back pain clinic at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Jackson, MS. Lastly, she retired from the healthcare profession at Morehouse Rural Health clinic, Bastrop, LA.

Her last community desire was to provide a transitional home for veterans. She worked tirelessly to achieve this until she succumbed to health issues and was forced to stop.

Eva loved fishing, doll collecting, and antiques. She even found time to be a PTA president for Rosa A. Temple High School. She was an accomplished seamstress and tailor, and she owned the first African American Antique store in Vicksburg.

Family

Eva was preceded in death by her parents Mariah Branch Nervis and Louis Nervis, her sister Alma Austin, and her brother Allen Percy Williams (Uncle Son), and her husbands, James Farrish, Jr., and Homer Ford.

Leaving to mourn her is her husband, Charles Moore. Her children: Carmen Farrish Reese, Stockbridge, GA; Janice Farrish Lambert (Charles)The Colony, TX; Sylvia Farrish Redd (Albert), Vicksburg, MS; Ann Farrish Christopher (Michael) Grapevine, TX, James Farrish III, (Cassandra), Edwards, MS, A Special niece Dr. Shirley Davis, (Samuel), Clinton, MS.

Eleven Grandchildren:  Jason Reese (Tondia) Stockbridge, GA, Camillia Redd, Dallas, TX, Dr. Steven Redd (Rita), Meridian, MS, Dr. Kevin Lambert (Dartinya) Carrollton, TX, Timothy Lambert Dallas, TX, Kristin Lambert Jones Little Elm, TX, Crystal Johnson Madden, Grapevine, TX James Farrish IV (Janee) Zachary, LA, Carmen Farrish Poe (Kenyatta) Clinton, MS, Adam Farrish, Houston, TX and Christopher Farrish, Edwards, MS

She has twenty-one great-grandchildren.

Her beloved sister Henrietta Diggs, Rolling Fork, MS

A host of close family members including Nieces and Nephews: Gregory Diggs (Amanda), Freddie Smith, Velma Bunch, Clifton Taulbert (Barbara), Clara Nervis and the Martin Family.

Eva Farrish Ford 1931-2024

Education:

Associate, Hinds Junior College, Raymond, Mississippi, 1976. Certified family nurse practitioner, Meharry Medical College, 1977. Bachelor of Science, Mississippi College, Clinton, 1984.

 Awards:

Recipient Outstanding Achievement Award Lucky 7 Police Department, Vicksburg, 1979, Outstanding Volunteer Service award Mississippi Heart Association, 1982, Community Service award Delta Sigma Theta, 1989, certified of appreciation Paralyzed Veterans of American, 1989, Lifetime Outstanding Achievement award Chicago Metro/Vicksburg Benevolent Homecoming Association, 1990. Named Woman of Year Les Belle Civic Club, Vicksburg, 1982, Nu Zeta Phi Beta Chapter, Vicksburg, 1988, Elite Civic Club, 1988, Nurse of the Quarter, Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1989. Recognized for professional accomplishment Vicksburg Evening Post, 1987, Mississippi 1^st African American state employed family nurse practitioner, 1987.

Lifetime member of American Field Service, first African American President of American Legion Auxiliary, Past president of Elite Civic Club, Vicksburg Benevolent Homecoming Association. President Warren County Concerned Citizens, Warren County Community Council.

Assistant secretary Ladies Modnestic Club. Board directors, past president Jackson St. Young Men’s Christian Association. Rape crisis counselor.

Member Methodist Rehabilitation Home Health Advisory Board. Board directors, chair Vicksburg-Warren Community Health Center, Inc. Secretary/treasurer Jackson State University Booster Club.

Member American Nurses Association, American Association Spinal Cord Injury Nurses (chair subcommittee for standard of care 1989-1990, research committee 1990-1994, task force 1992-1994, continuous quality improvement committee 1993-1994), Mississippi Nurses Association (Professional Accomplishment award 1988), Mississippi Association for Health Care for the Poor, Eliza Pillar Professional Black Nurses Association, Meharry Medical College Alumni (state secretary Mississippi chapter since 1989), American Legion (certified of appreciation 1993), Order of Eastern Star