Dr. Gwendolyn Cheryl Ford-Jones' Obituary
We celebrate the beautiful life of Dr. Gwendolyn "Gwenn" Cheryl Ford-Jones, a resilient, intelligent, and kind soul whose passion for healing touched countless lives.
Born in Newark and growing up in Montclair, New Jersey, Gwenn was always a stellar student. Finishing within the top 5 of her class at Montclair High School, she also served as Student Council President. Gwenn's journey was marked by her unwavering dedication to medicine and commitment to serving her country. Dr. Gwendolyn Ford-Jones was selected to attend Brown University’s elite 7 year combined undergraduate and medical school program and graduated as Valedictorian of her medical school class in 1988.
Becoming a Naval Officer upon completion of her medical training at Brown, Gwenn was awarded a prestigious internship and residency at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. Always the top-tier achiever, she became board certified in neurology/psychiatry, neurophysiology and electro-diagnostic medicine. She resigned from the Navy Reserves as a Commander in 2001. However, she continued to dedicate much of her career to helping service members, as a provider and a researcher, a mentor and an assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. Her last 8 years of service before retirement was working as the treating neurologist for the Traumatic Brain Injury Program at Madigan Army Medical Center.Her compassion and commitment to her patients was unwavering and unparalleled.
She also belonged to many professional organizations and was published in several professional journals.
Gwenn's vibrant spirit and boundless kindness brought joy to all who knew her. Her resilience and intelligence were evident in every challenge she embraced and every life she touched.
A devout Christian, Gwenn was baptized at an early age at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Montclair and was an active member in every church she attended. When the family was stationed in Bremerton , Washington in 2000, she joined Crossroads Neighborhood Church, served in several ministries and continued to meet with women in bible study and prayer groups. She loved God and His Word, and even considered entering into ministry.
Pledging at Brown in 1982, Gwenn was a lifelong member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She went on to become one of the chartering members of the Tau Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha in Jacksonville, N.C. In addition to AKA, Gwenn joined and served in both social and civic associations throughout her life. She was a very talented and gifted artist and found comfort in her creativity, even through difficult times. She was an avid gardener and multimedia artist including sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, jewelry design and stained glass artistry.
She shared a deep bond of love and laughter with her daughter, Candace Jones, who continues to carry forward her mother's legacy. Gwenn was reunited in passing with her beloved husband, Dr. Vincent Jones, and her cherished parents, William Edward Ford and Winifred Hearns Ford. She leaves to mourn her brother Christopher Ford, Esq. and wife Kim, sister-in-law’s Sharon Wright, Ava Jones, and Dr. Jaimee Jones, brother-in-law Kevin Jones and wife Sheila, nieces Simone and Sabrina Ford, nephew Daniel Ford, her “sister in-heart” Dr Mary Lambie and a host of other relatives and close friends.
As we remember Gwenn, we celebrate her extraordinary life filled with love, healing, and joy. Her memory inspires us to embrace life with the same warmth and generosity she so effortlessly shared.
Gwenn will be laid to rest alongside her husband Dr. Vincent Jones at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Services will be announced at a later time.
Memorial service will be held at Crossroads Neighborhood Church in Bremerton, WA on April 12 at 1:00 pm and Homegoing service held in Washington, D.C. at Zion Baptist Church.
What’s your fondest memory of Gwendolyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gwendolyn?
Share a story where Gwendolyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gwendolyn you’ll never forget.
How did Gwendolyn make you smile?