Emma Jane Ford's Obituary
Emma Jane Ford, born November 23, 1933, in Rensselaer, Indiana, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, surrounded by her family’s love. She was the daughter of Mary Ann and Estus Hudson Selby and shared a close and enduring bond with her brother, Ralph Edward Selby, who was eight years her senior. Her passing on Christmas Day felt fitting for a woman devoted to God, family, and home.
She attended Rensselaer High School, where she was active in cheerleading and theater and found great joy performing in school plays. During those years, she also worked at the local gathering place, Long’s Drugstore, at the soda fountain, an experience she often recalled as one of her fondest memories.
While in school, she fell in love with a young man she deeply adored, Monte, who was two years her junior. Their relationship grew into a lifelong partnership, and they were married on January 1, 1955, beginning a beautiful life together.
They were blessed with two daughters, Kimberly Ann, born in 1957, and Stacey Ann, born in 1961, completing the family they cherished.
Monte’s career with National Homes Corporation took the family to several states, including Indiana, Ohio, and Mississippi, before they eventually settled in Florida in 1974. Wherever life led them, Emma Jane took great pride in creating a loving, stable home. While living in Ohio, she worked part-time at Kolter’s Jewelry Store, a job she truly enjoyed.
After relocating to Florida, Monte decided to venture into business ownership, and Emma Jane stood proudly by his side. In 1975, together they founded Pine Aire, Inc., a custom home-building business in Spring Hill. Working tirelessly, often seven days a week, she played an integral role in the company’s success. She meticulously designed model homes, selecting furnishings, décor, and finishes with an effortless flair for interior design. Her warmth and keen eye helped customers feel confident and comfortable as they created homes that reflected their personal style.
Pine Aire Homes became a respected, family-run business, with daughter Kimberly also contributing alongside her parents. Emma Jane and Monte built a strong reputation for honesty, quality, and integrity, retiring after nearly 40 years of serving the Spring Hill community.
Travel brought her great joy, especially trips to Hawaii. Maui held a special place in her heart, and Monte made sure they returned many times over the years. She loved sharing stories from their travels and bringing home souvenirs, particularly delighting in the excitement on her grandchildren’s faces.
Emma Jane was a devoted Christian and a longtime member of The First United Methodist Church, now SpringLife Church, in Spring Hill. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she found great joy in Bible study and faith-based gatherings, where she valued fellowship, prayer, and shared devotion.
She was known as a gracious and gifted entertainer. She loved hosting ladies’ luncheons, bridge gatherings, and dinner parties, always ensuring there was plenty of delicious food and desserts, much to the delight of her daughters, family, and friends. She especially enjoyed playing bridge and canasta with a wonderful group of ladies and took great pleasure in card games of all kinds. Family members often joked that there wasn’t a card game she didn’t like.
Emma Jane did not grow up with pets of her own, but through Monte she was introduced to a lifelong love of dogs. Monte adored his dogs, and together they shared and cherished many over their nearly 62 years of marriage. Each held a special place in their hearts, but Emma had a particular fondness for their Yorkshire Terrier, Rags. As the last dog they shared together, Rags became a great source of comfort to Emma after Monte’s passing, and she loved him deeply.
Above all else, Emma Jane treasured her family. She found her greatest happiness in time spent together playing games, cooking, baking, and simply being surrounded by those she loved. Her warmth, devotion, and generous spirit will be remembered always.
Emma Jane is survived by her two children, Kimberly A. Schuler (Danny) and Stacey A. Foote (Scott), both of Spring Hill, Florida; three grandchildren, Nicole Schuler, Monte Schuler (Heidi), and Katelyn Carlson (Cory); four great-grandchildren, Alexa, Ashlyne, Averee, and Mackenzie, who brought her endless pride and joy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Ann and Estus Hudson Selby; her brother, Ralph Selby (Bonnie); and her beloved husband, Monte Ford.
A memorial service celebrating Emma Jane’s life will be held on January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at SpringLife Church in Spring Hill, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital and/or HPH Hospice of Brooksville, in honor of Emma Jane’s generous spirit and lifelong care for others.
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