Ida Farrington

Born in Dallas, Texas, on March 8, 1930, to Herman Fryer and Ellie Logan Fryer, Ida was the second oldest of six children, all who preceded her to glory: Hermalee (Lewis) Adams, Robert (Stella) Fryer, Alonzo (Annie Ruth) Fryer, Betty Jo (Lewis) Butler, and Will H. (Lil) Fryer. After graduating from Lincoln High School in the Dallas Independent School District, she married Freddie Farrington and birthed three boys: Freddie Lee (Linda), James Herman “F.O.T” (Florence), and Robert (Kathy) Farrington, all of whom preceded her in death.

She would be the first to tell anyone that her working career began as an 8-year-old standing on a bucket to wash dishes in an eatery in “the Bottom,” now known as Deep Ellum. Over time, Ida would transform those early experiences into an entrepreneurial, lucrative catering business called “Ida Farrington Party Services” with the help of two employers who quickly became family: Dr. David (Elaine, Yvonne) Reisman and Naomi Sherp.

Affectionately called “Ida Reisman Farrington,” she worked for Dr. Reisman 54 years, helping to nurse his first wife Elaine until her death and supporting the rearing of four children: Janice, Dr. James, Lori, and Michael; after he married Yvonne, she helped to rear Sarah Kate and Todd Reisman. She was also instrumental in rearing her best friend Annie Frank’s daughter, Emma Louise, and adopted Adelpha soon after her birth to co-parent her with Freddie & Linda.

Ida was quick-witted and known to speak her mind, regardless of how it was received. She was sassy and unapologetic about telling her truth. As the matriarch and last of her generation, she truly loved her family, those born of blood as well as of the heart. Her love for the Lord was evident in her service to all. She enjoyed the fellowship and ministering in her beloved Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church for many years while in good health, exercising her gift of hospitality not only in her church, but also in her home, with annual family & friends Thanksgiving gatherings. Passionate about football, she joined family & friends for their annual Super Bowl trips, which were second only to attending Dallas Cowboy games and rooting for her beloved “Heart Attack Cowboys.”

As her independent living abilities continually declined, Ida moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2016 to live with her granddaughter’s, Adelpha (Dr. Michael) Twyman, family. She departed this life on March 31st, leaving to honor her memory her grandchildren Keisha (Travis) Ivory and Darren Farrington; a special great-grandchild Elias Farrington Twyman; great-grandchildren Destinee and Trinity Farrington, Michael Endicott, along with other cherished family members and friends.