Biography: Laura “Ellen” Moody Ford passed away on October 27, 2025. Ellen was born to the late Laura Ellen Stockstill Moody and Julius Marvin Moody in Picayune, Mississippi in 1935. She is survived by her daughters Laura Elrod (David) and Elizabeth Ford; her grandchildren Ivy Phillips (Gabriel), John Elrod, George Elrod (Justin), and Abraham Hedlin; and several nieces and nephews. Ellen’s two older brothers Marvin Moody and Robert Moody preceded Ellen in death.
    
For Ellen, a treasured memory of her youth was leading the Picayune High School Band as drum major at the New Orleans Mardi Gras as the band played “When the Saints Go Marching In.” She had previously won the title of Miss Majorette of Mississippi in 1952.  The recognition came as no surprise to her community of Picayune which had witnessed her practicing her baton twirling skills  in the front yard since she was a child. She went on to graduate from the University of Iowa with a major in history. While pursuing her degree, she was the featured baton twirler for the University of Iowa’s Hawkeye marching band.
    
Little Rock became her home in 1963.  She was proud to have been a part of the Winthrop Rockefeller administration, serving on the Arkansas campaign to Keep America Beautiful. Ellen liked cooking Southern cuisine, sewing, listening to music-especially Broadway tunes, celebrating with her family, watching Razorback sports-especially basketball, shopping for sales, and reading Vogue magazine.  She experienced joy in studying fashion which began as a child, creating outfits for her paper dolls.  She was a proud member of various organizations in her life: her college sorority, Gamma Phi Beta; University Women of Little Rock; First United Methodist Church in Little Rock; and the Bluebell Norwich Terrier Club. 
     
She worked at Lomas and Nettleton, First Commercial Bank, and Lenders Title, completing her career in 2020 for the state of Arkansas as a part time employee for Work Force Services.  Always a loving and conscientious pet guardian, she became a breeder of grand champion Norwich Terriers.  Ellen was recognized as the breeder of three Norwich Terriers who won best of breed at the iconic Montgomery Kennel Club in Bluebell, Pennsylvania:  GCH Roserock’s Atticus Finch (2015), GCHP Roserock’s My Eyes Adored You (2018), and GCHS Roserock’s The Gambler-Kenny Rogers (2021), or as the family referred to as Finch, Issac, and Kenny. 

Ellen’s family marveled at her indomitable spirit, energy, and work ethic.   They appreciated her love and support. They also admired her beautiful red hair.  There will be no public service; however, the family gives thanks to all who remember Ellen fondly. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com