Gertrude Castellow Ford was a native of Cuthbert Georgia and relocated to Mississippi when she married Aaron L. Ford. She was born in 1913 and lived to be 83 and passed away in 1996. She was the daughter of Bryant and Ethel Castellow. Mr. Bryant Castellow was a US congressman, educator, and an attorney. Mrs. Ethel Castellow published the Agnes Scott Alumnae quarterly. 

 

Gertrude had a deep passion for the Arts this is shown through her ability to play the flute, violin, and piano. She also loved poetry, fine literature, and Shakespeare. She was a published author and Playwright.  She spoke four languages fluently: French, Latin, Spanish, and English. She was raised in the tradition of philanthropy, this began more than 150 years ago with a donation to the Andrew Female College Building Fund located in Georgia.

 

Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband Aaron Lane Ford who was an attorney and a US congressman. Upon her passing in 1996 The Gertrude C. Ford Foundation began in 1998 with three directors Mr. Leon E Lewis,  Mrs. Cheryle M. Sims, and Mr. Anthony T. Papa. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are laid to rest in Cuthbert Georgia at Rosedale Cemetery.