DeNesa Joy (Carter) Ford

DeNesa “NeNe” Joy (Carter-Kesterson) Ford, 67, of the Orebank Community, left her tired, broken body behind, to be with the Lord Wednesday morning, September 13, 2023. She was a 23-year breast cancer survivor, and bravely fought many battles, including a lifelong struggle with Mental Health. She loved Jesus, her Daddy, and all God’s creatures. She attended Notre Dame Catholic Church, when her health permitted. Her most valuable gift to her children is ensuring they knew God. She was preceded in death by her Father, Ted A. Carter, and Special Aunt, Dora Emma Harmon. She is survived by her Mother, Joan Carter, Sister, Teresa Culp, Daughters, Emma Villarreal and Husband Jonathan, and Curiesha Ford, Stepchildren, Jolise Alvarez and Curtis Ford Alvarez, and Grandchildren, Dorothy Moran, of Frenchtown, MT, Glenn and Carter Villarreal and Dechlan Ryan. Special friends include; Marilyn Lancaster, Chris and Sherita Ellis, John and Raven Ramsey, and the Tyler Nicholson family. DeNesa graduated from, West Greene High School, and attended Walters State Community College. She spent over 30 years in the hospitality industry, sharing her joy of cooking with others. Her hobbies and interests included: Herbalism, listening reminiscently to radio station 1340 WGRV, Tall Tales and Legends of Bigfoot. She was very passionate about preserving her Appalachian heritage, culture, and spirituality. She was an avid dissectologist with an aficionado for Crosswords and Sudoku. She was also a talented seamstress, and creative artist with a love and appreciation for music. She loved laughter and commonly dished out comedy in doses of witty jokes, performing over local radio while playing the harmonica to her singing chihuahuas, and frequent outbursts of Vaudeville style singing. She loved her girls, adored her grandchildren, and cherished her Feline Friends. She will be missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Stetzer-Bales Funeral Home in Morristown TN. There will be a graveside service at Pine Grove Cemetery for family and friends, announced at a later date.

Arrangements by Stetzer-Bales Funeral Home, Morristown, TN.

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