The cast of “Martin” gathered to say goodbye to their fallen colleague on Wednesday at Tommy Ford’s funeral, with Ford’s former co-star Carl Payne saying, “Today wasn’t easy.”
Payne, who played Cole Brown on the ’90s sitcom, posted a photo with his former castmates on Instagram, along with a tribute to Ford.
“Today wasn’t easy. We laid our brother to rest,” Payne wrote. “However through God’s grace and the love, support and prayers of friends, family and loved ones all is well.”
Tichina Arnold — a.k.a., Pamela James from “Martin” — also posted the photo to her Instagram account, along with her own recollection.
Arnold, too, said the day “was not easy, but by the grace of God we all got through it.”
“Words cannot express our gratitude for all of your Prayers, Positive thoughts an Support to us throughout the years,” the actress continued. “Tommy will be missed but most certainly never forgotten …”
Though “Martin” star Martin Lawrence wasn’t pictured in the photo, both Arnold and Brown noted that he was present at the ceremony.
Ford, who played the nebulously employed Tommy Strawn on “Martin,” died Oct. 12 at age 52 in an Atlanta hospital. The actor was reportedly placed on life support days earlier for an aneurysm that ruptured in his abdomen.
A photo posted by TICHINA ARNOLD (@tichinaarnold) on
A statement on Ford’s Instagram account noted that the actor died surrounded by his family.
“To all family and friends of Tommy Ford. We would like to inform everyone that our brother passed away today October 12, 2016 surrounded by his loving family,” the statement read. “Please keep his family in your prayers as they go through this challenging time. He was so dearly loved by so many and for that lets all be grateful for a life well served.”