To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by CARY NAKAMA.
Lou
June 24, 2016
With all the love we can give. We miss you ole crazy mad light of our life.
August 27, 2014
Ida is still inspiring others. After all those years her orbit is still out introducing her to new friends. Can anything be better than that.
Laurel G
November 27, 2013
Ida Mae's obituary made such an impression on me, I have kept it all these years. I know Ida was loved and held close by family and friends, including the writer of the tribute. I hope my daughter will be as kind and funny in my obituwary when I go "toes up."
November 22, 2010
I wish I could have known Ida Mae, she is my kind of woman, and if anyone mentions an abituary I always think of Ida Mae, it is a pleasure to just think of her.
Kathy Colm, Ashland, Ky
April 30, 2010
I didn't know you Ida Mae but your baby son Lee brought to life to me today on a conference call with such love and admiration.I wish I had! I know you loved him so much and he passes your love for life on to others today in his life.
Vera Miranda Sacramento Calif.
March 13, 2009
some what odd that after 7 years, I am reaching out to you during the very month 1 year ago your mom went to a better place.
Tim
Virgil Christobal
November 4, 2008
Well Ida is gone now and thanks to the internet we all got the chance to meet Ida Mae. The newspaper should do a follow up one year later. Ida lives on and the public wants more Ida.
Charles Brown
May 13, 2008
To Ida Mae's Family,
The obit for Ida Mae was the most informative & humorous I've ever read. I have sent it to relatives & friends. I read it to a lady who lives in my complex & she suddenly remembered the name Ida Mae Russell & that she lived 2 doors from her when she was in high school. The neighbor said she graduated from Messick High School in 1951 & that Ida Mae had graduated a year ahead of her in 1950. Thanks for giving me a good laugh.
Bertha
May 5, 2008
Ida has become to the web what her friends and family always knew. A 5 foot ball of TNT wrapped in good ole southern charm. I knew Ida and her great kids. Both were and are her reborn. Although Denise is gone now she was a rare person like her mother and Lee well he is so successful. I remember when he sold franchises to his lemon-aid stand in the neighborhood. Lee and Denise had their mother’s personality. Rich, respectful but always made you smile. Ida was a great lady and raised a great family. There was a lady who commented on the guest book did Ida have a guild to raising her family. She did. A pound of love, add in respect, season with understanding and pile high with humor and laughter. Ida life was tough. She had many health problems over the years but you would have never known it. Ida used to say I have no regrets here at the end but then again, I have a bad memory. I will miss her.
Thomas Wyatt
May 3, 2008
What a wonderful message. You have provided an inspiration to others about the real meaning of what it means to live.
Martha Washington
May 2, 2008
To the Russell-Sills Family,
I'm sorry for your loss, but your life seems to be filled with wonderful memories!! I wish I could have had the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Ida Mae Russell-Sills for people like her enrich the lives of others. May she rest in peace and know that she is in a better place filling it with joy and laughter. Celebrate Life to the Fullest!!
Bubba Lee
May 1, 2008
RIP, Ida Mae.
Barbara Fowler-Dismukes
April 30, 2008
Such a lovely tribute to your Mother. I hope that my children feel the same way about me! I can see from your writing that you have many wonderful memories to help you in the future to remember what a fabulous person your mother was. I'm sure she's already got her wings and is greeting newcomers as I type!
callie boxley
April 29, 2008
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Barbara
April 29, 2008
Lee, what a tribute to your mother. I believe she was a fun person to be with and I enjoyed reading the obituary.
Di
April 28, 2008
Move over Molly Brown!
Ann
April 26, 2008
What a beautiful lady, and what a lovely son. So much is said about the evils of society. May Ida Mae and Lee show us that our society is filled with wonderful souls.
dawn bragg
April 25, 2008
I don`t know you,but am so sorry for your loss. When things seem a little easier for you, could you check and see if Miss Ida left a guide book on how to rear your children to be so great????? If you publish it, i will buy it. God be with you and your family.
Dawn
T.M. Thompson
April 25, 2008
What a wonderful tribute. Even though I never knew her, the tribute written by her son is truly a tribute to a woman who just loved her family and did the right thing. May she be ever watchful over her family.
Suzanne
April 25, 2008
This is the best obituary ever! Ida Mae sounds like she had a rich and wonderful life, touching and enriching the lives of those around her. I am a complete stranger having never met her, but wish I could have. She was part of the Greatest Generation - Wish there were more like her today. Her loved ones are blessed to have had her in their lives.
Loretta Bishop
April 24, 2008
Lee
I appreciate your humer and talent for writing. Your Mother sounds like
a wonderful person. I have a friend
who name was Cherry, a wonderful
person that sounds so much like your Mother
Rachel Burns
April 24, 2008
Thank-you for sharing. I am sorry I didn't get to know her. I hope to raise as wonderful a family.
Felicia (Gaye) Bell-Cheffer
April 23, 2008
My husband saw your name in the paper but his memory is so bad he couldn't remember where or why. I was heart broken when I found out about you MOM. If I had known sooner I would have been there. I know that your Mom is happy with the tribute. You have always been an exquisite storyteller. I know she appreciates your humor and your talent for writing. In the last several years I have been writing too. I wrote the tributes for my Father, my Grandmother and my Sister-in Law. Friends are asking me to write theirs ahead of time so they can read them. Yours was far more special than anything I have ever written. You captured her so well that everyone who reads it will know how unique she is. The length of the obit was no real surprise. I would expect such a thing from a guy who had a tanning salon 30 years too soon.
She raised a wonderful loving and creative son. Thank GOD she taught you not to think inside the box. Love be with you. Felicia (Gaye)
Tammy
April 23, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this obituary. Your mother sounds like one incredible lady. The world was lucky to have had her as long as they did. God Bless!
RaNae Vaughn
April 23, 2008
I got such a kick out of reading this obituary! What a wonderful person Ida Mae must have been. She obviously shares her sense of humor with her son and grandson. I know you will miss her, but you were lucky to have her in your life as well.
Suzanne
April 23, 2008
Wow I can only hope to leave that many footprints in people's lives when I die. What a awesome tribute to someone's life. Kudos! Ida Mae!
carol
April 22, 2008
well done
Betty
April 22, 2008
I have never enjoyed reading an obit as much as I have this one. Your mom must have been a wonderful southern lady.
How lucky she was to have such a great son as well.
I am sure she must be looking down and smiling at all the attention she is getting!
Deidra Gist
April 22, 2008
Dear Russell Sills Family,
NOW THIS IS A TRIBUTE to a family member! Although I did not know her, your words let her live inside my heart. I know you will miss her and I know she is thankful that you honored her life with truth.
I only found and read this due to my Uncle's obit being in the paper the same day.
May you be blessed and know that even in her death she is touching people with her life. Even complete strangers, like me.
Pat
April 21, 2008
What a wonderful tribute to your Mom. A woman after my own heart. Your love for your mom shows in every word. Josh and you have your own special angel watching over you. My condolences to you and Josh.
Michelle Louze
April 21, 2008
I can just see Ida Mae sitting by the pool, having a cocktail, and happy to be where she is. What a wonderful obituary!
Shannon Shumate
April 21, 2008
Ms. Sills has reached us even into Jackson, MS and we are thrilled that her happy light continues to shine on this earth. Even if we didn't know her.
Nancie Weems
April 20, 2008
Lee, what a wonderful son you are to honor and pay tribute to your Mother in this warm and humorous manner. I know she must be shining down with a smile on you and Josh.
LaShaundra Swift
April 20, 2008
This is an awesome obituary!! I didn't know Miss Ida Mae but I can tell by her obit that she was one awesome lady.
Rachel Barto
April 20, 2008
Miss Ida Mae, I only wish I'd had a chance to know you! I have laughed so hard at what your sweet Lee wrote about you, and I have shared with all my friends and family your wonderful story! Thank you, Lee, and I hope you know your mom must be so proud of you for making the day of so many people around the world!!!
Margaret Hurd
April 20, 2008
We need more Mrs. Sills in this town. She sounds like a wonderful lady with a sweet southern personality. God Bless.
Amanda L
April 20, 2008
Like many others, this obit caught my eye. It sounds like Ida Mae was a woman that was full of life and she will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
April 20, 2008
you were both very fortunate, you for having her as a mom and her for having you as a son. what a great
obituary.
Nicole Gray
April 19, 2008
This is the most beautiful obituary. I know she is smiling down upon you. I would have loved to meet her and wished more of the world could be like her.
gloria walker
April 19, 2008
I have never met Ida Mae but by reading her obituary I know and believe in my heart that she a was a wonderful, loving, caring and funny mother that kept a smile on everyone face that came around....God Bless you and your family she will be watching every step you make.... God Loves You....
Mary Spencer
April 19, 2008
What a lady.I can`t tell you how much I enjoyed getting to know Ida Mae through this awesome obituary, May she rest in peace.
Kathy Williams
April 19, 2008
Lee,
What a wonderful remembrance of your mom! I happened across the obituary and rolled with laughter. I was lucky enough to have had the pleasure of knowing you and your family many years ago.I will always remember the wonderful meals your mom cooked and traveling around to listen to Denise play. I know Ida Mae is smiling. What a great, great story.
pamela bishop
April 18, 2008
what a wonderful obituary, i feel as if i know her. may she rest in peace and a angel on earth will watch over her grandson Josh.
Jan Smith
April 18, 2008
Like one of the other readers, the frog picture caught my eye. I first read the obit and then called my sister as I knew she would appreciate the humor as much as I did. The problem was that I couldn't read it aloud to her because I was laughing so hard. I tore the obit out of the paper and have made everyone I know read it this week. God bless Ida and her family. I wish I had known her and hope someone loves me in my lifetime the way her son, Lee, loved her. What a great tribute!!!
Laura Jarrett
April 18, 2008
Lee, I know you miss her deeply.
My prayers are with you, it will get easier
Elaine Cartwright
April 18, 2008
Wouldn't it be nice if all the world had a mother like Ida Mae and a loving son. Heaven is so much better to have a great woman.Thank you so much for making the world happier.
Alan Cooper
April 18, 2008
What a wonderfull woman & story.
April 18, 2008
Lee you have my deepest sympathy. My wife and I own Busy Bee Flowers. I delivered all the flowers you ordered for your mother. When I rang the bell she would always open the door with a smiling face. She was so happy to get the flowers you sent. I will miss seeing her happy and smiling face. So was a great lady.
K. Taylor
April 18, 2008
Am happy to know that angels like Ida Mae will be watching over us. What a fine woman!!
James Maxwell
April 18, 2008
What a story!! and how proud you must be of your mom.
Bernie Crawford
April 18, 2008
What a way to be remembered! I only hope I do such a great job raising my child. When I am gone I would love for her to have sweet memories that we've created throught her life. I did not know Mrs. Ida but I believe she was a Proverbs 31 woman. May the days of everyone she knew and loved be blessed.
Elena Tubbs
April 18, 2008
What a wonderful life and what a wonderful exit from this life to the next! Heaven is blessed to have someone like Ida Mae.......
ANDREA SPENCER
April 18, 2008
Wow is all I can say. What a fine tribute to your mother. When a son loves his mother this much you know she did something right! Bless you and your angel of a mother.
L W Carter
April 18, 2008
Wow, what a woman!
Kelly M.
April 18, 2008
I wish I could have met Ida. I think she could be a great role model for me and laughter is always the best medicine. Forget the Lexapro, God send us more Ida Mae's!
Debbie Britt
April 17, 2008
This site was emailed to me by a friend who knew how much I would enjoy it !!! I only wish I could have met Ida Mae - she seems quite the character. We all should live our lives to the extent that such wonderful things might be said of us!!!!
Tom Martin
April 17, 2008
What more can be said about Ida? She was always so kind to all the children & pets. God Bless
Ted Leach
April 16, 2008
We read the obituary at our church's staff meeting on April 15th, and it became the focus of the daily devotion on our website for April 16th. Here's a link to the devotion:
http://www.jacksonfumc.org/daily_devotional/devotional.php?date=041608
If there is a Pulitizer Prize for obituaries, the Ida Mae Sills obit gets my vote.
Karen Edgar
April 16, 2008
I was a schoolmate of Denise's and a neighbor. I bought a restaurant from Albert in 1986. Denise and I used to play in the yard and walk dogs together (she had a basset hound) when we were young teens. All I remember of Ida was the smells of good Southern cooking wafting from the kitchen, and her calling Denise in for dinner. But what a great tribute this obituary is.
M White
April 16, 2008
What a Steel Magnolia. My friend and I have laughed more (proudly) every time we have read it. I am trying to find someone to hire to write an obit like this for me in the future (hopefully far into the future). Carpe Diem, Ida Mae!
April 16, 2008
Tina,
I'm so glad to read about someone knowing Ida Mae. I would give anything to hear more stories about her. Any chance you could get her son to send some to the newspaper? I think an editorial on this woman would be a great read! I have sent her obituary to so many friends and family to read. What a wonderful woman! I would love to meet her son as well!
Connie C
April 16, 2008
Ida, Ida, Ida, The world may miss you but heaven is in stitches. I knew Ida we both moved into the same subdivision in the 1960's. I never forget when they got the big swimming pool. Al was afraid of water; he always gave Ida excuses why they could not get a pool. So Ida saved her coins and for each year he said know to the pool it got one foot bigger. The summer they built it was a hot one and the big pool was a God send. Ida's backyard was always full of Mary Denise’s singing friends. They would play folk and rock music. After all it was the 70's. It was a great time. Her story should be remembered and told often.
Teresa
April 16, 2008
God Bless You Mrs Ida Mae Sills! I did not know her, but her obituary touched me. What a testament in your life, that you ask people to laugh in death, instead cry in sorrow.
Gloria Jean
April 16, 2008
We lived in the same neighborhood as Ida and Al. Ida was one of the rare women that when you meet her for the first time you thought you have known her for years. What a gal. She raised great kids. We moved away in the 1980's. I contacted her from time to time. She lost her daughter a few years ago. It about killed her. Her legacy is left to her son and grandson to keep her stories and recipes alive. Have you ever had Ida's Christmas goodies? Yum. I will miss her.
Peggy
April 16, 2008
I knew Ida; she was a great southern lady. She was also a great cook. Her favorite cook was Paula Dean. They both have similar personalities. I know she was looking forward to going to a taping of her show this year. I would love to send this to Paula’s team. I hope her son publishes more stories about her.
Great southern women should be remembered. They are the backbone of our great nation.
Tina
April 16, 2008
I had the pleasure of knowing Ida. I am a friend of her sons and we are all together for the Holidays. Ida came out to California every year. She was a real hoot. This trubute was writen by her son. He has the same personality. They are both crazy. This really is only a part of her story. There is so much more. I was with her Christmas Eve and my sides split with some of her southern stories. So much fun, She will be missed by everyone her knew her and now by some people that had not had the chance to know her.
Becky Brewer
April 16, 2008
I wish I had been given the opportunity to meet Ida Mae. What an interesting woman she must have been, and how lucky for those who were part of her life. My deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved her.
Kimberly Tomlinson
April 16, 2008
I wish I could had known her! Very strong women it seems. God Bless and Rest in Peace!
Dianne Hinson
April 16, 2008
IDA MAE RUSSELL SILLS---YOU ARE MY HERO!!!! And, my best to whoever wrote about her life. I so want to go to her life party and wish I had known her on earth. Ida Mae, you will live on in my mind and heart, what an inspiration!!!!
Susan
April 16, 2008
She was my supervisor for many good years at South Central Bell. She was a wonderful lady.
Donna Baker
April 16, 2008
Great, Great, Great!! What a wonderful woman! I lived in Fox Meadows in the early 70's before moving to Alabama. I have wonderful memories of Memphis, and wish that I could have known the indomitable Ida Mae!
Donna Baker
Montgomery, AL
Cheryl
April 16, 2008
Ida Mae 's passing is certainly a loss for her family.
April 16, 2008
WOW!! How inspiring and what a testiment of faith to call a funeral a celebration of life!! This changes the way I look at the sky at night!
Kim H
April 16, 2008
She seems to be a really nice person. Is this a real obituary? If it is may she rest peacefully.
Cathy
April 15, 2008
Like many other guests I never met Ida Mae....but wish I had. The author of this obit should write a book Erma Bombeck style! Having an ex husband I laughed until my sides ached at the thought of him being in a "warmer" climate in the hereafter. I think I'll go ahead and write my own obit! God Bless Ida Mae. I'm sure she was welcomed by St. Peter and the angels.
Erika Bell
April 15, 2008
I did not have the honor of knowing Ida Mae Russell Sills but she sounds as if she was a wonderful person. I'm sure she'll be greatly missed. May she rest in peace.
Teresa Anderson
April 15, 2008
What a wonderful tribute to a significant life! I hope we can all be appreciated by our loved ones this way!
Gayla Hill
April 15, 2008
I didn't know her, but heartily wish I had.
Ellen Rouse
April 15, 2008
Wow, what a woman! My hero! How many of us have the guts to get through life's hard times, touch so many lives in such a positive way, maintaining such a wonderful sense of humor and obviously passing it along to the writer of this obituary? She certainly left the world a better place than that into which she was born. God bless this family and PLEASE do a story about Ida Mae for us... we are clamoring to hear real life stories that prove hard work, goodness, generosity and a sense of humor actually exists and changes the world for better.
Tom Bowen
April 15, 2008
I did not have the privelege of knowing Ms Sills - but she really made my day after learning more about her through this obituary! Our kindest regards and sympathy to her family - may God bless you!
The Bowen Family
Hernando, MS
Marilu Thompson
April 15, 2008
Amen and Amen to all the entries. I'm especially proud of Shara H's thoughts. Living 29 years in King County (Seattle) as I did can cloud one's apprieciation of great humor and personalities. Ida Mae, I hope to meet with you someday in Glory and speak of your myriad experiences. To your family, what a blessing to have such wonderful memories.
Susan
April 15, 2008
She sounds like a women that lived a life filled with humor and love. I celebrate her life with a smile and a desire to have known such a funny women. May God bless you with many years of stories. I sure wish you would share them with all of us.
Gretta Holmes
April 14, 2008
May she rest in peace
patti henley
April 14, 2008
I, too, wished I had known Ida Mae. But, I do feel like I know her now! My deepest sympathy to those who knew her and my congratulations to the writer of the obit! It's a Classic!
April 14, 2008
I wish someone that knew Ida Mae would contact the media and let them do a story on her. She had to have been quite the character. I love to hear about great Memphians and it sounds like this was one of them. I would love to hear from the writer of the obituary as well.
Shara Hagerman
April 14, 2008
Deep, Hilarious, Bold! I came across this piece because an error was made in my own mother's obituary and her picture was not uploaded. When I saw the frog, I questioned if this could possibly be an additional computer error. Well, obviously it was not and lucky for me that I read on, because this certainly is the most original, entertaining, and hopefully most genuine obituary I have read to date.
With death in our family too, this was well appreciated serendipity! Thank you, my mother would have loved her!
Rebekah Morgan
April 14, 2008
I'm sure Ida Mae will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. May the Lord bless and keep them all. Her life, though full of ups and downs was, apparently, also quite filled with joy and love. This is the first Obit I've ever read which made me laugh out loud and smile at someone's homegoing.
Jackie
April 14, 2008
What a life well lived! I'd love to have known her.
B. Knight
April 14, 2008
Like most everyone else who has written, I never had the pleasure of knowing Ida Mae. She must have been quite a hoot and kept the company of others who shared her sense of humor. "Hats Off" to the author of Ida Mae's Obit and my condolences to all we knew her.
April 14, 2008
I would love to have known this woman.... and the person who wrote this obit! This is the best I've ever read. I bet Ida was a character!!
Cathy and Teresa
April 14, 2008
People around the world will change their obituatries after reading about Ida Mae. Loved the three ring circus, warmer climate, and twice the husband/half the money. We know that she is sparkling in heaven right now. We are sorry that we did not know her. Those of you that did were very fortunate.
Denise Marmion
April 14, 2008
That is the most awesome life story ever! Ida was a hoot and now I know where Denise got her sense of humor!
L. C. Forsythe
April 14, 2008
I've never read such an honest obit before. I bet the writer and Mrs. Sills had fun deciding what she wanted her obit to say. I admire their spunk. "Husband and his mother in a warmer climate. Not knowing what happiness was until she remarried, then it was too late".
Wow, I hope my friends can remember me with a chuckle after I'm gone, like Mrs. Sills friends surely do her.
Kaylin Forsythe
April 14, 2008
I too didn't know Mrs. Sills, but her obit was a hoot! It made me decide to write my own obit before I die. That way my kids and in- laws can't say anything unkind about me. 8-)
Betty Brooks
April 13, 2008
I wish that I had known Ida Mae Sills. What a charming person she must have been. How wonderful to be remembered in such a delightful way!
Anita Farrow
April 13, 2008
Oh, my goodness. What a delight! I hope my house is next to hers in heaven.
Joyce Barbee
April 13, 2008
What a beautiful Life Ida Mae had, may she rest in peace and may those who knew her forever have the precious memories of knowing & Loving her. Joyce {Lenonds} Barbee
Kate
April 13, 2008
I didn't know Ms. Sills but, boy, I sure wish I had! She sounds like a hoot and a heck of a lot of fun! I hope it is not disrespectful to laugh at an obituary but I really enjoyed the part about her second husand joining his mother after death in a warmer climate! I am sure Ms. Sills is looking down on her family and watching out for them every day.
bonnie walker
April 13, 2008
I too was touched by this obituary.
I didn't know Mrs. Sills but I wish I had. May God bless and keep you and yours.
Showing 1 - 100 of 103 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more