Ida Loreen Gray

Ida Loreen (Chili) Gray departed this life for her rest in her heavenly home on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at Linda White Hospice. Ida was born on October 1, 1923 to Nora (Outlaw) and Garfield Jones. She was a lifelong member of the Dove Chapel Missionary Baptist Church as well as a lifelong Evansville Westside resident. Ida graduated from beauty school in the 1960’s and practiced her craft up until her recent illness in January. Everything Ida did, she did faithfully. If the doors of Dove Chapel were open, Ida was present. She served many roles at the church. During her decades of service she served in positions on the Deaconess Board, in the choir, Sunday school, and numerous committees and helps ministries. She was a dedicated member of the Willing Workers and a faithful attendee of Bible study. She was also a dedicated fundraiser for the church through the years. She and her sisters will be remembered for their very spirited discussions of all things Bible. Rarely missing a Sunday service she knew that the Lord could use her regardless of her age. She never considered slowing down, as she had never retired from her job and was still driving from Evansville’s Westside to the eastside each week for work. Ida’s wit, faithfulness, quick smile and witness for the goodness of Jesus in her life will be greatly missed. Her favorite saying was “You Better Know the Lord”. Ida was preceded in death by her parents, daughter and son-in-law, Bobbie and Fred Foster, her sister Dorothy Tolliver, and her sister and brother-in-law Pearl and Bob Brewer. Also preceding her in death were grandchildren Diane Freels, Daniel Freels and Serina Foster, and great grandson Darren Michael Canary. Ida leaves to cherish her memory her grandchildren Thelma Bennington, Minister Deborah Freels-Wagner, David Freels, Fred Foster, Jr., and Stacey Foster, all of Evansville, sister Annie Shaw of Indianapolis, a very special nephew Steven (Tijuanna) Tolliver of Newburgh, 15 great grandchildren, 14 great great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Clarence Tolliver and a host of extended family as well as her Dove Chapel Church family and the ladies at CK’s Salon. Special thanks go to Deaconess Midtown Hospital, Encompass Health Rehab Center, and Linda White Hospice. Homegoing services for Ida will be held Saturday, February, 23, 2019 at Dove Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 4420 Nurrenbern Road. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the 12 p.m. service time. Burial will be at Lyles Cemetery. Pastor Randall Lander is officiating. Final arrangements are being handled by Alexander East Funeral Home. Condolences may be made at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com