Funeral services for Lonnie Benjamin Franklin Ford, 81, of Bainbridge, were held Saturday, Jan. 9, at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jakin, Ga., with the Rev. Alvetta Butler officiating.

Interment followed in the church’s cemetery with Bernard Ford, Bruce Ford, Kenneth Ford, Robert Ford, Willie Ford, Larry Grimsley and Robert Powell serving as active pallbearers.

Born Oct. 17, 1928, in Jakin, Ga., Mr. Ford died Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala.

Mr. Ford was a graduate of Carver High School. He was a veteran of the Korean War. After leaving the military service, he resided in Connecticut for 20 years. In 1975, he returned back to Jakin and was employed at Georgia Pacific, retiring in 1991. He was a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church.

He was preceded in death by six brothers, Charlie B. Joshua Sr., Abraham, Wilson and John Henry; and four sisters, Irene, Susie, Mittie Ann and Jennie.

Survivors include his wife, Earlyne Ford, of Jakin, Ga.; two sons, Lonnie Clifton Ford of New Britain, Conn., and Mervin Patrick Ford of Dothan, Ala.; a sister, Roxie Davis of Jakin; three grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Guyton Brothers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.