Neborah Ingram

Neborah Alexander Walker Ingram was born August 15, 1946, in Pelham, Georgia to Fellom Alexander, Jr. and Emma Lou McCormick. She was the second child born to this union. She had eleven siblings: five sisters, Betty, Frances, Anna, Donna and Barbara and six brothers, Fellom, Paul, Michael, Anthony, Hamilton and Alex.

Neborah grew up in Pelham, a small agricultural town that didn’t offer many opportunities to young black girls. She was educated in the Mitchell County School system from grades K-12. She graduated when she was sixteen years old. After graduation, she moved to Columbus, Ohio with her sister Betty and her grandmother, Beatrice McCormick hoping to fulfil her quest to attend college and break the cycle of poverty she knew as a child growing up in the South.

However, Neborah had to put her personal dreams on pause when she became a mother to Jerri, Jeffrey, Robin and Cari. Her brother Fellom recalls, “She always made it clear that her family was her priority, even if it meant sacrificing her own needs and well-being. Robin recalls a precious memory from her teenage years. “I was feeling down knowing I wasn’t going to my prom, but after a long day at work Mom told me to get dressed up. She took me to see my first stage play; A Good Man is Hard to Find. Afterward, we got Chinese food. She made me feel so special.” Nevertheless, over the years Neborah completed two years at The Ohio State University and she earned an associate’s degree at a business college. Neborah loved all her children. Her hearts desire was to help her children and grandchildren be saved in the kingdom of God!

Neborah gave Jesus Christ her heart when she was a child. Her brother remembers her as “being very quiet and soft-spoken with a serious demeanor—in other words don’t cross her”. She is remembered as a “God-fearing woman with a big heart. She was not just a pretty face to look upon, but a beautiful, Godly woman inside and out.” Neborah rededicated her life to Christ and was baptized by Elder Henry Wright at the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church in Columbus, Ohio. She later transferred her membership to the Central S.D.A. Church and finally to the Beacon of Hope S.D.A. Church where she served in several ministries over the years until her health declined. She was a faithful Deaconess, Culinary Leader, Pathfinder Counselor and Usher. She was also a member of the Kings Daughters, a Christian women’s ministry organization.

Neborah was industrious. Her calm demeanor opened many employment opportunities for her over the years. She worked for the Red Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Comfort Keepers and Welch Wrecking. She retired from The Ohio State University Hospital.

Neborah’s family and friends all agree that her favorite foods were cabbage, corned beef and corn bread, oatmeal, pancakes, potatoes, eggs and Chick-fil-A’s macaroni and cheese. Her favorite snacks were peanut butter and crackers and CHEETOS!

Her favorite book was the Bible. Her favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Neborah’s pastime activities included working crossword puzzles, watching soap operas, westerns, British TV shows, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, news broadcasts, and playing Scrabble and other board games. She enjoyed all kinds of music, especially Black gospel. Psalms 34 by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir was her favorite song of all.

Neborah was a proud mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. Her heart’s desire was for her family to be saved!