Ada Sanford

Ada Sanford (nee' Brisker), Beloved Mother and Friend

On a beautiful spring day, April 16, 1925, Ada Brisker was born in Wayside, Georgia to John and Leila Brisker. She was the older of 2 children.

In 1929, the Brisker family moved to Detroit, Michigan in pursuit of greater job opportunities and a better life. Ada's father was a factory worker while her mother was employed as a hospital cook.

Ada graduated from Pershing High School and attended Highland Park Community College. She was an outstanding student in Math and was interested in pursuing a career in nursing. While attending college, she worked as an Administrative Assistant for a physician, Dr. Edwards, and his family. She remained good friends with them for years after her employment.

In her early twenties, Ada met and fell in love with her soul mate, Leroy Sanford. They married and had two children: Patricia and lrene. Ada was a dedicated wife and mother who took exceptional care of her family. She was known as an excellent cook, who made the world's best fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. She was a generous woman who would always offer you a meal if you were hungry. The delicious aromas of her cooking would often draw in neighbors passing by. She never turned anyone away who asked for a sample of her wonderful cooking.

Ada accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age and was an active follower of Christ throughout her life. She served as the Secretary for the First Church of God in Christ, pastored by Reverend Troy, until his passing. She was a dear friend of the late Archbishop Arthur L. Posey, the founder of the Temple of St. Jude Spiritual Church in Christ. A faithful member and longtime supporter of the Temple of St. Jude for more than two decades, she attended church services regularly until her health began to decline. She loved her church family and they were always a great source of joy and inspiration for her.

Ada was a devoted wife, loving mother, hard worker, and loyal friend to many. She enjoyed watching television, Western movies, reading books, and playing cards. She loved pretty shoes, sparkling jewelry, and nice perfume. She never met a stranger and was always the life of the party. With her outgoing personality and unlimited confidence, she made friends everywhere she went. Once you met Ada, you never forgot her. She liked to say: "I'm Black and I'm cute" and she called herself "the Beautiful One" - truer words were never spoken.

Ada loved her family and she did whatever it took to make sure that they had everything they needed -- in good times and through hardships. She took care of everybody, even at great cost to herself. She leaves behind an unmatched legacy of love, wisdom, kindness, and precious memories.

Ada was called back to the Lord and made a peaceful transition on June 25, 2014, in divine order. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her brother John (Boise) Brisker, and her former husband and lifelong friend, Leroy Sanford. She lives on in the hearts and minds of: her daughters Patricia Sanford and lrene Sanford; her goddaughter Geneen Bradley; her adopted grandchildren Micheon Morris, Kerri Jackson, and Brianna Cummings; the congregation of the Temple of St. Jude Spiritual Church in Christ, and a multitude of relatives, friends, and neighbors.