Emmitt Ford

Emmitt H. Ford was an American politician from Tennessee. He represented the 86th district encompassing Shelby County from 1975–1981. He was also an uncle of former United States Congressman Harold Ford Jr.

Early life

Ford was one of twelve children born to N. J. and Vera Ford. Growing up in the West Junction and Riverside neighborhoods of South Memphis, he graduated from Geeter High School. Also, he attended Tennessee State University.

Political career and legal problems

He succeeded his brother Harold Ford Sr. as a member of the Tennessee State House of Representatives from the 86th district, but resigned in 1981 after a conviction for fraud. Rufus E. Jones was named to Ford's seat. Ford was sentenced to federal prison in 2000 for tax evasion.

Life after politics

For over twenty years, he operated a meat market in South Memphis. He died at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on November 10, 2014.