Jean Carolyn Ford, first lady of a Germantown church

HOLIDAYS WERE special to Jean Carolyn Ford. She not only got a chance to flex her remarkable culinary skills, but enjoyed the sometimes rollicking engagement with family and friends.

Known to all as "First," because she was the first lady of her church, she "looked forward to the holidays when she enjoyed those intimate moments, laughing, playing Skip-bo, Phase 10" - both card games - "or just randomly bursting out with a song," her family said.

"She was blessed with an infectious and beautiful smile that was both mesmerizing and captivating, and therefore will leave an indelible mark in the lives of everyone who knew her."

Jean Carolyn Ford, an active devotee of the apostolic faith who became the first lady of Ford Memorial Temple of Germantown when her husband became pastor, an exuberant gospel singer, outstanding cook in the Southern tradition, and devoted family matriarch, died Sept. 13. She was 62.

"Integrity, character, finesse, patience, kindness and self-sacrifice were but a few of the unlimited brushstrokes that paint the motif of the 'portrait of a phenomenal woman,' " her family said.

"Thanksgiving will never be the same without her extraordinary cuisine as First was a cook personified. She exquisitely prepared soul food at its finest and served family and friends with an ambience that critics would rate above five stars."

Jean Carolyn was born in Dillon, S.C., to Willie and Arlethia Murphy. She got her formal education there.

After the family arrived in Philadelphia, Jean met and married Andrew James Ford II, who would go on to follow in his father's footsteps as pastor of Ford Memorial Temple on Germantown Avenue. They had three children.

"First was always the epitome of a nurturer, and an exemplary of maternal instinct," her family said. "This was exhibited not only to her biological children, but also to numerous others who adopted her as their spiritual mother."

Jean attended Highway Christian Church, then moved to Ford Memorial Temple when it was founded by her father-in-law, Andrew J. Ford Sr. After his death, the mantle was passed to her husband.

She worked in several ministries, including Women's Ministry, Culinary Ministry, Prayer and Intercessor and Outreach.

"She provided wise counsel and was a woman of compassion and grace," her family said.

Jean loved to sing, and her melodious voice graced such standards as "Hallelujah Anyhow":

No matter what comes my way

I'll lift my voice and say

Hallelujah anyhow.

In 2007, Jean joined Serenity Christian Worship Center in Pennsauken, N.J.

She is survived by a son, Andrew James Ford III; two daughters, Syreeta and Shandelle; five sisters, Joyce Hoskins, Mary Henderson, Wilma Sobot, Helen Murphy and Mary Bienaime; two brothers, Sam and Michael; a granddaughter and great-grandson.

Services: Were Saturday. Burial was in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd.