My mom was born July 12, 1925 to Fred Elmer Adams and Bama Eunice Clay in Boise, Idaho. She was the second daughter of two. Her sister was Mary Lottie Adams. Elma grew up on a 16 acre berry farm that her parents developed in the 1920's near the cemetery up on the Boise Bench near the train station. She had an idyllic childhood, swimming in the canals with her two big shepherd dogs and climbing huge box elder trees that lined the property. She would step over the powerlines and go on up. Her mom would not have approved if she had known. Watching over the hired hands and cooking for them took much of her time. Mom adored her older sister, but liked to chase her with a bug on the end of a stick. If Mary dared defend herself, she got sent to her room. Then mom would sneak her an apple and a book through the window because she felt guilty, I guess. Mom attended Franklin Grade School and High School but dropped out her sophomore year because her dad wouldn't buy her a new coat. Hers was so tattered. She then went to work and earned herself a coat. Mom's sister bought her a brand new pair of roller skates when Mom was twelve. Mom loved to skate down Capital Blvd and around the train depot. Mom always hoped for a bicycle, but never got one. But the roller skates served her well. Mom so loved her big sister. After Mom married Roy Ford on January 13, 1947, she attained her high school equivalency diploma. Eventually, she went to work for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. She worked there for 12 years as a stenographer and case worker. Mom worked at several jobs besides being a home maker. Early on she worked for the State Auditor at the capital building. She worked at several bakeries as well. It waws there she met her friend Theda Morrison. Theda took Mom on a blind date to meet my Daddy, Roy Ford. Mom worked a short time at Birdseye processing plant. It was a miserable job. But, when I came home on my tenth birthday from school, there in the hallway of our home was a shiny blue new bicycle for me. I squealed with delight and rode that bicycle hundreds of miles over the next eight years. Her childhood dream came true, one generation removed. Daddy built mom a new home in 1952, She lived there until 2015 when she turned 90. She then went to live at Streamside Assisted Living in Nampa, Id. Seven years after Daddy passed, Mom remarried Harold Harding. They enjoyed 18 years together until he passed in 2006. Mom loved flowers, knitting, and crocheting. She was good at both. Mom enjoyed watching old game shows the last few years as she remembered so many of the old celebrities. With fading vision and arthritic hands she had to give up knitting and most TV. We enjoyed doing crossword puzzles together the last few years. She was quick to answer many of the clues. We sat and giggled over some of the silly things we would come up with. How I enjoyed those times with her. Mom always made Christmas special and cooked great Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. She never really liked cooking, but did fine. She loved to read until her vision would no longer allow it. She listened to talking booking for awhile. Mom left a legacy of two daughters, Dayle Miller of Nampa and Brenda Ford of New Mexico. She has five grandchildren, Lucas, Jacob, Sarah, Mariah, and Jayce. She also has left behind ten great grandchildren and two nieces, Candy Barrows and Mary Ann Lau of Boise. She will be sorely missed, but we know we will see her again. She radiated love to us all and always had cheerful thoughts and hopes for everyone. She was my number one cheerleader. Rest in Peace dear Mother. May you join the angels on high and be remembered always for your kindness and generosity. We will love you forever.
Add comment