Photo courtesy of Smith, Bizzell & Warner Funeral Home
Jun 7, 1943 - Mar 3, 2026
Sending Our Sincere Condolences and Deepest Sympathy from Orlando & Beatrice Winfrey
Beatrice Winfrey
March 16, 2026 | Chicago, IL | Acquaintance
It was always a pleasure to see you. You were a very nice person.
Valerie Ray
March 16, 2026 | Merrillville, IN | Friend
Sending prayers to family. She was a very nice friend. She will be missed.
Sharla Broom
March 16, 2026 | Gary, IN | Friend
My sincerest condolences to the Brown family. Condolences Mark and Cookie on the loss of their mother Mrs. Ida Sain .
May Jehovah Rapha Heal and restore during your time of bereavement.
Valencia Davidson
March 15, 2026 | Little Elm, TX
Mark and Cookie, I offer my deepest and sincerest condolences to you both. May God bless and comfort you in your time of grief. Love always, Michelle Sease-Moore
March 14, 2026
Mark I'm truly sorry for such a great loss may God comfort you and give you and your Family the strength to keep going.
Arnetta Cherry
March 14, 2026 | Gary, IN | Friend
To my amazing friends Veronica, Will, and Vicky,
My heart goes out to each of you during this difficult time. May God bring you comfort, peace, and strength in the days ahead. Your Granny will truly be missed by so many. She wasn’t just your Granny—she had a way of making everyone around her feel loved, welcomed, and cared for. Her warmth and kindness made us all feel like we belonged, and in that way she became everyone’s Granny.
I feel blessed to have known her and to...
Satina Washington
March 14, 2026 | Merrillville, IN | Family
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Vanessa Newby
March 13, 2026 | Merrillville, IN | Family
To Cookie and Mark you all have my condolences and prayers. Going to miss Ma smile and miss her hugs and seeing her on Sunday mornings at church. Love you guys
Sandrona Upshaw
March 13, 2026 | Gary, IN | Friend
Ida Mae Sain was born at home on June 7, 1943, in Gary, Indiana, to William Esters (Big Daddy) and Mattie Jane Christopher Esters (Big Ma). She was the youngest of two children. Ida peacefully departed this life on March 3, 2026.
Ida graduated from Emerson High School at the age of 18 on June 7, 1961. Shortly after, she met and married Leroy Sain, and together they welcomed a set of twins, Mark Sain and Marviyann Sain Brown.
Driven and hardworking, Ida later attended Business College where she developed the skills that led her into administrative work. In 1969, she began working at United States Steel Mill as a truck driver and was later promoted to Administrative Assistant in the Tractor Shop. Through dedication and commitment, she proudly retired after 34 years of service.
Ida was honored to be one of the original members of Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church.She loved traveling, roller skating, and dancing. Ida was truly a social butterfly who brought joy and laughter wherever she went. However, nothing brought her greater happiness than spending time with her beloved family.
Ida was preceded in death by her parents; her brother-in-law, Robert Brown; her nephew, Dino Brown; and her niece, Latanza Brown.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her wonderful children, Mark Sain and Marviyann Sain Brown (Tommy Sr.); her devoted sister, Norma Brown; ten grandchildren, Victoria, William (Jonnica), Veronica, Anthony, Verlinda (Tony), Wesley, Michael (Jasmine), Tyhlar, Tommy, and Tammy; and nine great-grandchildren, Viviana, Antwoine, Isaiah, William Jr., Ashton, Tamiya, Malayah, Sincere and Logan.
She also leaves behind her niece, Kim Brown; great-nieces Indyia and Jaszmin; great-great niece Alea; along with a host of special friends; 36th Place Neighbors; and extended relatives who will forever cherish her memory.
Ida Mae Sain’s Love, Laughter, and Legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
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