"Live life to the fullest," is the motto Ivory always lived by. In the 73 years that Ivory lived, she was so many things to so many people. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandma, a great grandma, an aunt, a trailblazer, and a friend.Ivory truly had a heart of gold. She was always giving to others and willing to help anyone in need. She had a great sense of humor, loved playing cards and generally had a great time! However, her happiest moments were those she shared with her family. Ivory Jean Ford Strong was born in Miami, Florida on November 22, 1950, and was the youngest of four daughters born to George and Irene Ford. She grew up in the Overtown and Miami communities where she attended Dunbar Elementary School, and Booker T. Washington Senior High School.Her parents instilled the value of hard work, independent thinking, and the importance of having a relationship with the Lord. Her mother Irene, a Godly woman joined the Mt. Sinai family in 1926 and ensured that Ivory and her older siblings regularly attended Sunday School and church services. Ivory was baptized at an early age and served Mt. Sinai in several capacities including Sunday School secretary, member of the Sanctuary Choir, SA & LE Thomas Scholarship Committee, and servant leader of the Sports and Health Ministry. After Ivory relocated to Crawfordville, Florida, she remained connected to her Mt Sinai family through Online Worship and whenever she returned home to visit. At an early age, Ivory developed into an acclaimed athlete, excelling at tennis, basketball, volleyball and softball. In fact, she was offered a college scholarship in tennis, but marriage and becoming a new mother put those dreams on hold. At the age of 17, Ivory began an illustrious career at Southern Bell. She was hired as an operator and she persevered to become a frame attendant, telephone home repair and installer, and eventually a Customer System Engineer, making her the first African American female telephone installer in the southern United States.Throughout her life, Ivory received many accolades for her groundbreaking achievements, including being featured in the September 1972 issue of Ebony magazine, appearing in the Miami Herald, and being interviewed by the reporter Molly Turner for Channel 10 News. In 2022, Ivory was featured in an AT&T Podcast, honoring Southern Bell pioneers, and she was also an honoree of the 29th Anniversary African American History Calendar award. Ivory was very proud of her achievements and felt blessed to have served as a pioneer and role model for women all over the country. Ivory once said in an interview, "I am very proud of this career that provided me with the opportunity to be a 'first' and to admirably serve my community.  And "The best man for the job is a Woman" After retiring from AT&T (formerly BellSouth) with 32 years of service, Ivory moved to Crawfordville, Florida where she embarked on new memories with her daughter and grandchildren. She made friends and worked in various jobs that involved meeting and connecting with people—her special gift.On September 16, 2024, Ivory was peacefully called to be with God. A multitude of family and friends are left to mourn her passing, and celebrate her life: Children, Latarsha Strong (Deborah); Aaron Strong; Nicole Green,(Wallace) Grandchildren: Trevin Strong, Tavaris Strong, Ivory Strong, Arieal Strong, Aaron Strong, Aariona Strong, Aaric Strong, Yaneak Williams, Joshua Wesley (Raven), Justin Green, Jamari Green Great-Children: Zachary Lewis, Atari Strong, Ayden Pierre Jacques, Willie Johnson, Jeremiah Wesley, Nilah Green Sisters: Juanita Madison, (Norbert Madison); Betty Nesbitt; Margaret Ingram Noel (deceased) Loving Nieces and Nephews: Cecil Ford, James Lamar Jr., Anthony Ingraham, Gerald Ingraham (Felicia), Michael Ingraham and Alex Noel (Shanta); Wandarece Ruan (Leonard), Malcolm Marshall (Shirley), Regina Carroll; Sherrae Dixon and Michael Nesbitt (Marva) Ivory will be missed by many grand nieces, nephews and other relatives, close friends in Miami and Crawfordville; Libby Allen; Stephen Smart.