Miss Delaine Takai Ford

Ms. Delaine Takai Ford, daughter of Ranata Louise Ford and Hamer Dwayne Junior Bostic, was born 3:09 A.M. April 12, 2005, at the Medical University of South Carolina hospital in Charleston, SC. She was the granddaughter of Louise F. Ford and Micheal P. Ford (both of Walterboro, SC) and Hamer Bostic (Clio, SC) and Annie Bostic (deceased). 

Delaine Takai Ford was a member of the Class of 2023 at Colleton County High School in Walterboro, SC. She was enrolled in all honors courses and was an Honor Roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. Delaine was in the Colleton County High School Band of Blue. She showed an interest in music and singing at an early age. By the time she was four years old, she had done solos in church. Her grandmother, Louise F. Ford, predicted that there was music in Delaine’s future. 

Delaine attended Church House of Ministries Worldwide of Ladson, SC. She was a member of the choir, the mime team, and the praise dance team and was always eager to participate in talent shows. She loved playing UNO and Spades, mainly because she would win most of the time. She was a leader and liked coordinating activities for family and friends. Delaine participated in T-ball, soccer, karate, and tennis -- all before the age of ten. For a while she loved wearing “cat ears” in her hair until one day she asked, "Why am I wearing these?" Delaine enjoyed reading and was an avid Marvel movie fan. Her first job was at Burger King where she received accolades for excellent customer service. 

When Delaine was a rising 7th grader, she participated in Project WISE at Clemson University. Project WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) was sponsored by Duke Energy to encourage women to enter STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). During the six-week program, Delaine took courses in chemistry, mathematics, earth science, and chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering. After Project WISE, Delaine decided she wanted to attend Clemson University and major in chemical engineering.

In 8th grade, Delaine was an honor student and made the Superintendent’s List several times. She enrolled in two high school courses -- Algebra I and Spanish I. While still in middle school, Delaine was accepted into a new technology program at Colleton County High School. She was determined to graduate with honors. Throughout high school she continued working toward her dream of becoming a chemical engineer. By her senior year, Delaine’s goal was to become a bio-chemist. She wanted to live in Iceland!

Delaine began playing the clarinet while in middle school. She was invited to join the Colleton County High School Band of Blue as an 8th grader. During the 2018-2019 Band of Blue Awards Day ceremony, Delaine received the Most Outstanding Junior Band Award and the 8th grade Rookie Participation Award. She was also recognized for being accepted into the South Carolina Junior Region Band. She was one of hundreds of students from across the state who auditioned. As a member of the Junior Region Band, she appeared in concert at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC. 

In the 2019 Ford Family history book Ranata Louise Ford said: “My greatest accomplishment on this earth is being mother to Delaine. I am now a Band of Blue mom! My daughter was accepted into the high school band a year early. I will have five years of band camps, football games, and band competitions.” Delaine marched with the Colleton County High School Band of Blue when they performed as the featured band at the 2019 Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, DC. She also met and took a picture with Anthony Anderson there. Delaine was a member of the Band of Blue since 8TH grade, from 2018 - 2022. She earned the following honors and recognitions: Band of Blue Woodwind Band Captain, 2022; SCBDA Junior Region Band, 2019; SCBDA Clinic Region Band, 2020; and Superior Ratings at SCBDA Solo and Ensemble Festival, 2018 - 2022. 

On Saturday, October 29, 2022, the last band competition of Delaine’s senior year was held at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, SC. Delaine did not march with the band because of an injury. However, she performed the entire show, including her solo, while seated in a wheelchair. Delaine Takai Ford died Saturday, October 29, 2022, just hours after returning to Walterboro from her solo performance at the band competition in Columbia.

In addition to Delaine’s parents and grandparents, the following are also left to cherish her memory: One sibling, Dwayne Jonah Bostic (Charleston, SC); Two uncles: Harmon Ford, III (Jacksonville, FL) and Terry Sutherland (Andrea) Fayetteville, NC; Two aunts: Wanda Floyd (John) Atlanta, GA and Denise Bostic (Fayetteville, NC); A godmother, Tabutha Risher and two god-sisters, Zayona Risher and Alayla Risher; a host of grand-aunts, grand-uncles, and cousins; and many, many friends including best friends: Dayzanae Neals, Peyton Grant, Alexandra Green, Kevin White, Ally Stevens, Jadon Edwards and high school sweetheart,
Tre’Quan Stokes. 

As service arrangements have been updated below, we encourage each of you to share in moments of reflections as well as expressions of sympathy, as they will bring comfort during this most difficult time.  

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