Ida Mae Williams

Ida Mae Williams was born January 5, 1921, and departed this life January 23, 2023, at 102 years old. She was the only beloved daughter of Ollie Dempsey and Clara Mae Taylor.

Ida Mae was born in Mobile, Alabama. She was privileged in her early years, attending Allen Institute, a private school as a formal means of education. Ida Mae lived a full life in her younger years in Mobile. She loved to travel and would frequent New Orleans on the bus with her friends. While in Mobile, she met the love of her life, Johnny Williams Sr. In 1940, the two married and to this union, three sons were born, Johnny Jr., Cedric Sr., and Rashad (Gregory).

In 1945, Johnny and Ida moved their family to Cincinnati, Ohio. Upon arriving in Cincinnati, she started working at The Alms Hotel as an elevator operator. After her stint at The Alms, Ida Mae began working as a housekeeper at the University of Cincinnati, where she worked her way up to supervisor. She remained at The University of Cincinnati until she retired in the late 80s.

Ida Mae Williams dedicated her life to Christ at an early age. When Ida moved to Cincinnati, Ohio she became a faithful member to The Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for over 60 years. With Ida being such a long-time member of the church, she was blessed to serve under Revered John M. Stephens, Reverend John H. Flinn, and current pastor, for the last 29 years, Reverend Donald E. Jones, Sr. She loved her church and held the utmost respect for her leaders.

Ida's life was an example of her faith. She found joy in serving and taking care of others. She enjoyed sharing her culinary skills with people in her neighborhood and her extended community. She was known for sending meals and giving “a piece of change”, as she would affectionately call it. Her service and generosity to others did not go unnoticed. She was diligent in her giving and never met a stranger in terms of wanting to help. Even in her last days, she was still asking everyone, “Do you need anything?”

Ida Mae was not only a giver but a nurturer. She opened her home to relatives when they needed it. For years, Ida was the caretaker of her Aunt Dell until her death. In her early 90s, she brought her mother, Clara Mae to Cincinnati, Ohio from Mobile, Alabama, to care for her until she transitioned. Just like she cared for her family members, her sons, Cedric Sr., and Rashad, reciprocated the love and care for Ida, putting their lives on hold to attend to their mother until her final hour. Her legacy of caring, giving, and nurturing has been passed down to four generations.

Ida’s family was her pride and joy. Many of her friends would joke with her and tell her that all she talked about was her family. No matter if you were her son, grandchild, great-grandchild, or great great-grandchild, Ida would always make sure you had everything you needed. If you knew Ida, family was everything to her. Her love for her family members was unconditional. During her time of transition, Ida was still thinking about family members, holding on just for them.

Ida Mae was the original fashionista known specifically for Sunday’s best. She absolutely loved shopping. In her early days, you could catch Ida loaded down with bags from some of her favorite stores, Shillito's, Elder Beerman, Pogues, McAlpin's, and Parisian. Ida Mae did not have a driver’s license but getting around was no problem for her, nor telling you how to drive. Shopping was not her only passion, Ida enjoyed traveling, playing cards with friends, and dancing. She was a true example of living life to the fullest.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Johnny Sr., and her son, Johnny Jr.

Ida Mae Williams leaves to celebrate her life, two sons, Cedric Sr. (Connie), and Rashad; daughter in love Gayle Abdullah; eleven grandchildren, Elven Mention (Charles), Cedric Williams Jr. (Blake), Tracey Thompson (Angelo), Erin Abdullah, Malik Abdullah, Yasmin Abdullah, Aminah Abdullah, Aaliyah Haney (Darnell), Celisa Long, Cey’ron Willingham, Mohamed Abdullah; nineteen great-grandchildren; seven great great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ida Mae Williams, please visit our floral store.