Tommie Lee Foard

Services will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Bethany Baptist Church. Family Visitation at 9:00 am and Funeral Services at 9:30 am. Public Viewing all day from 9 am to 7 pm on Friday, June 17 at Watson's Funeral Home 10913 Superior Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44106. Mr. Tommie Lee Foard was born in Greenwood Mississippi, to Mr. Avery, and Bertha Ford on July 2nd, 1923. He was one of ten children. Tommie was raised on the family farm, often working from dusk to dawn. He was educated in the Greenwood public school system. After his stint in school, he returned to help on the family farm; also Tommie would help his Brothers at the local Cotton Mill, as he called it: "throwing bales of cotton on the backs of trucks all day long!" Mr. Tommie Lee Foard was drafted to the United States Army in February 3rd 1943; where his name was spelled for him as Foard. He served with Honor in World War II in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, and Rhineland. Tommie quickly rose to the rank of Corporal, a Heavy Machine Gunner. In this position Tommie oversaw a detachment of Men that brought in the rear to further storm Normandy Beach. On top of Corp. Foard's responsibilities, he also had a short stint as a German prison guard. Tommie received several medals of distinction, and an Honorable Discharge in 1945. After returning home to Mississippi Tommie traveled, spending time with Family that spread to different cities "up north', before settling in Cleveland Ohio. He later met the Love of his life Evelyn Mills. They later married in 1950.They had one daughter Darlene Watley, Who gave them there only grandson Alexander Aldo Phillip (Buster) Watley. Darlene preceded them in death in 1973. After thirty eight years of marriage Evelyn Foard passed in 1988 leaving Tommie and Alexander together to form a relationship as close as Brothers. Mr. Tommie Foard worked many years at Central Brass Manufacturing Co. Until he retired at age sixty-five. Always a workaholic Tommie picked up a part time job with the city of Cleveland, working with his Brother John Ford, and Grandson Alexander. Tommie rededicated his life to Christ and Joined His Brother Edward Ford and grandson's church, Bethany Baptist Church. Tommie spent many years as an Usher with his Brother Edward. Mr. Tommie Foard later became progressively ill with Alzheimer's disease; being cared for, for many years at their home by his grandson Alexander, his Wife Angelia, their Daughter, and Son Alexandra, and Jonathan. Tommie became seriously ill from complications of Alzheimer's, being hospitalized for over a month, resulting in becoming a patient of Hospice of the Western Reserve, at Eliza Bryant Nursing Home; where he comfortably departed this life on June 8th 2016 at 9:30am. Mr. Tommie Foard was Ninety-two. Mr. Tommie Foard leaves behind to cherish his memory his only remaining sibling, Emma Ford Moses; grandson, Alexander "Buster" Watley; his Wife, Angelia K. Watley; great grandchildren, Alexandra T. Watley, Jonathan Chennault, and Jonathan Watley; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Tommie Lee Foard was a Solider to the end. Graciously Submitted by The Family

Funeral Service

Saturday, June 18, 2016 9:00 AM
Bethany Baptist Church
1211 East 105th Street Cleveland 44108, United States