Leighton Ford’s book reflects a lifetime of faith
A grieving husband revisits decades of memories shared with his wife, Jean
The following article appeared in the December 10, 2025, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
Essay: Helping evangelist Leighton Ford write a ‘love letter’ to his late wife, Jean
by Ken Garfield
It wasn’t enough for Leighton Ford to grieve the death of his wife last year at age 91. So he wrote a book about Jean and filled it with memories that remain forever fresh.
One of his poems, “Two Unthinkable Thoughts,” speaks of “a spring without Jeanie or a life without God.” There they are in photographs. Baby Jean in the arms of her brother, evangelist Billy Graham. Leighton and Jean on their wedding day. Posing for a family portrait with their children. They lost their son, Sandy, during heart surgery in 1981. He was 21.
Leighton gave his book a lofty name worthy of Jean’s life as a mentor, Bible teacher and, in her own way, evangelist: “Like A Gentle River — The Life And Witness Of Jean Ford.” But really it’s a love letter from a 94-year-old who put aside his frailties to pour out his aching heart.
What a blessing for me to help guide him on the journey, and to appreciate the message he spent a lifetime sharing, about the power of faith, grace and perseverance.
The Fords and I go back 30 years to when I covered religion for The Charlotte Observer. I wrote about Leighton. An evangelist on Billy’s team long ago, Leighton left to start a ministry mentoring young Christian leaders. His son, Kevin, now runs Leighton Ford Ministries. I wrote, too, about Charlotte-born Billy. That meant numerous phone calls to Leighton and Jean, especially when Billy’s health began to fade. He was 99 when he died in 2018.
My relationship with the Fords turned from professional to personal. I’d stop by their house in the SouthPark area of Charlotte. Jean would slip in to say hello, then slip out. It was one of her gifts, avoiding the limelight. Leighton and I would talk, often on his beloved back porch, less about work and more about life. His faith and mine. His aches and pains and mine. How his terrier, Buddy2, grew more possessive of Leighton after Jean’s death. God bless doggie day care.
I helped the family write Jean’s obituary. Then, when Leighton was moved to do this book, he asked for my help.
While he wrote (on his phone, keyboard be darned), I recruited 30 friends and loved ones to recall the Jean they knew. “I loved Jean dearly,” shared Grant Wacker, author of the definitive biography of Billy Graham. “Without question, Leighton married up (Smile).”
While he juggled the book and medical appointments, I found a printer in Chatham (Ontario, Canada), where Leighton was raised by his adopted family. We agreed that was a God thing.
After six months, it was done.
I knocked on Leighton’s door one morning, surprising him with the first copy. He took a seat in his usual place. As he turned the pages, I stood with his daughter, Debbie Gourley. Together, we watched a grateful, melancholy smile cross his lips.
Leighton’s book is available by emailing stacyevansmorris@gmail.com.
Charlotte freelance writer/editor Ken Garfield is a frequent contributor to The Ledger. Reach him at garfieldken3129@gmail.com.
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