Ida Baker Roadcap

Ida B. Roadcap of Falls Church passed away peacefully into God’s loving arms on September 26, 2023, at the age of 100, 3 months and 21 days. Beloved wife of the late Boyd G. Roadcap of Falls Church, VA. Devoted mother to Peggy Dove (Gordon), Carolyn Clouse (Bill) and Mary Walsh (Bailey). Loving grandmother to Gordon Dove, Sara Dove, Kelley Clouse and Bill (Hannah) Clouse. Sister-in-law to Margarite Miller, Joy Adolph, Patricia Fraley, and Irene Roadcap, and numerous nieces and nephews. Devoted neighbor and friend to many. She was preceded in death by her father and mother Carl and Luella Baker, brothers Lewis Baker and Gilbert Baker, and sister Melda Hamilton.

Ida was born in Fishers Hill, VA on June 5, 1923. She attended a one room classroom walking through the fields to school and in the winter hitching a ride on the back of the milk truck. In May 1941, she graduated from Strasburg HS and afterwards, moved to Arlington, VA where she lived with her Aunt Polly. She went to work as a bookkeeper at American Securities and Trust Company in Washington, DC. She not only was a bookkeeper, but also became the self-taught equipment repair person for the adding machines. When working late, her friend and co-worker would call her father for a ride home. He was a high-level executive in the Truman administration working in the White House and often needed to return to the office first with the young ladies. This provided the opportunity for private tours of the White House, to include the private living area. Ida remembered seeing the bowling alley, but could not see the pool since President Truman was using it. Another time, he had to go to Walter Reed Medical Center where the ladies were treated to another tour to include getting an x-ray.

Later she worked at Shirlington Bank and Trust in Arlington, VA. She met her husband Boyd on a blind date set up by a co-worker who was Boyd’s Aunt Vi. They were married six weeks later on February 22, 1946, and happily married for 51 years. They purchased a home in Falls Church, VA on October 31, 1949, where they lived and raised their three daughters. After Boyd’s death, Ida continued to live in the home until 2020. She was the matriarch of the neighborhood.

They opened their home to family and friends throughout the years. It was the party house. No matter if it was planned or spontaneous, Ida would accommodate you and you were well fed. At Christmas time, everyone would stop by and know they could enjoy some of Ida’s deer meatballs and country ham that she would cook in a lard can and then wrap it in an Army blanket overnight, and, of course, bourbon balls. In the fall, there was always vegetable soup, pot roast, fried chicken, and on and on. There were the cookies and cakes galore. You could not leave without taking some treats home. She would take a bag of cookies or an apple cake or something she crocheted to her doctor appointments to thank them. The grandkids enjoyed these treats as well and knew the location of the candy drawer.

Throughout her life, Ida was an active member of the PTA, Greenway Down Citizen Association, and Graham Road United Methodist Church where she volunteered for Vacation Bible School, folding the Sunday service bulletins, and counting the weekly offering. She delivered meals on wheels until her mid-nineties. She also helped run the Bake Sale table at Manassas St. Thomas UMC during their annual Bazaar.

She was an avid sports enthusiast—there wasn’t a sport she did not enjoy. She was on a Falls Church duck pin bowling league for years. Ida was a faithful fan of the Washington Redskins and Nationals. Her love of football began with driving her girls to both home and away high school football games, where she stayed in the stands cheering. She was thrilled when after 20 plus years on the waiting list for Redskin season tickets, she received seats starting the last year they played at RFK stadium. She went to the games cheering loud and enjoyed the pregame tailgate fun. When Joe Gibbs left football and entered NASCAR, Ida learned all about car racing. The race wasn’t exciting unless a Gibbs driver won and there was a wreck or two. She was thrilled when baseball finally returned back to DC and over the moon when the Nationals won a world series. She finally got to attend a game in person for her 94th birthday, and was the Nat’s Queen for the Day. Whenever you stopped by to visit, you would find Ida in her chair crocheting or doing needlepoint and watching sports -- football, baseball, NASCAR, horse racing, and even high-stake poker. And, cocktails were at 5:00 with chips and dip followed by a hot meal.

Ida had a multitude of talents. There was nothing she could not do. She was especially known for her needlework. She did it all -- crochet, needlepoint, embroidery -- hundreds of items ranging from afghans, lace table cloths, prayer shawls, cup koozies, and the list goes on. Working with needlepoint plastic she made Barbie house furniture for her granddaughter, an Easter Egg village, and all kinds of decorations for every holiday. Everyone anxiously awaited receiving Ida’s annual Christmas ornaments; all made with love.

When Ida fell and broke her shoulder in June 2020, and could no longer live alone in the Falls Church home, she lived part-time between her daughters in Manassas and Williamsburg. It was difficult for her to lose her independence. While in Manassas, she enjoyed sitting on the porch watching all the planes, traffic, and walking up and down the sidewalk. She became the neighborhood watchdog. The squirrels became her friends because she always had peanuts. They even came to the door looking for her and the nuts. In Williamsburg, she became known as the Queen Mom and had her throne on the porch, known to her as the glass room. This is where she watched her shows while crocheting, and stood guard protecting the plants from the groundhogs and other creatures. Overlooking the golf course, she would tell you who hit it in the pond and who made it across. And, she enjoyed her rides on the “buggy”, aka the golfcart.

When Ida needed more assistance than her daughters could provide last August, she moved into a small assisted living home in Manassas. She informed them of her meal times and that she wanted a hot meal. She continued crocheting, word find books, and jigsaw puzzles, as well as providing advice of how certain things should be done there. The staff all quickly learned who was in charge, and loved learning from her. She was known as the Queen and treated as such with love and compassion.

Ida embraced life to the fullest - always with grace, kindness, and, of course, spirit. Although she carried many crosses over the years, she never complained and would tell you, what’s the point, it won’t do any good or accomplish anything, you need to move on. She has left a great legacy of the importance of family, love, consideration for others, respect for traditions and the honor and pride she felt for her country. She was one tough, resilient and beloved lady.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ida’s memory may be made to Capital Caring Hospice Capital Caring Hospice 3180 Fairview Park Drive Suite 500 Falls Church VA 22042 or a Charity of your choice.

A visitation for Ida will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at National Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.

A funeral service will occur Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.

A graveside service will occur Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.

A reception will occur Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NationalFH-MP.com for the Roadcap family.