Ida Adell Christian

And He Walks With Me, and He Talks with Me..… C. Austin Miles Christian, Ida Adell Martin, daughter of the late Philmore and Ruth Martin, Sr., was born in Fluvanna County, Virginia on March 16, 1923. In 1939, the family moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, where she resided for 51 years. Following a battle with Alzheimer’s, Ida peacefully died on November 29, 2018 surrounded by her daughter and granddaughter in Odenton, Maryland. Ida was the 5th of 11 children and is survived by the following siblings: Inez Love of Bowie, Maryland, Thelma Casselle and Charlie Martin of Williamsburg, Virginia and she leaves many family members to cherish her memories. Ida was married to Frank E. Christian, Jr. (Deceased) for 42 years. She had three children: Ida Marie Dandridge (Deceased), Geneva Hunter of Odenton, Maryland; Frank E. Christian, III of Richmond, Virginia; three grandchildren, Yolanda Hunter, Shannon Christian, Jonathan Christian, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Throughout the years, Ida developed some very special relationships, and one in particular, was with Diane Perry and her daughter Maria ("BeBe"). Ida was passionate about family and loved family gatherings, all types of music and dancing. She always created an atmosphere that was filled with laughter. She had a giving heart that extended beyond family; she was a good neighbor and friend to everyone with whom she came in contact with. Meeting her once was all that was needed! Ida completed her public education in Williamsburg and was an active member of First Baptist Church where she spent over 40 years working in various capacities, especially the choir. After years in Williamsburg, Ida and Frank moved to Richmond, Virginia and they both became active members of West End Assembly of God, where Ida continued to work enthusiastically in different capacities until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Professionally, Ida was a successful seamstress, milliner and entrepreneur. She worked in two different laundry facilities in the town of Williamsburg and simultaneously ran a seamstress shop out of her home. She was known for her meticulous work products and was consistently sought after for her talent. Ida was daring and believed in civil rights. When the manager of Casey's Department Store (at that time, one of Williamsburg's prominent department stores) contacted her and discussed his plan to integrate the sales staff, she eagerly accepted his job offer and became the first black sales clerk. She started in the store’s Gift Shop, moved to the Fabric Department and later created the store's first Alteration Department. Ida also had the privilege of working for the Costume Department for Colonial Williamsburg where she designed and made colonial dresses worn by hostesses throughout the colonial area. One of the highlights of her career with the Costume Department was the opportunity for the entire group of seamstress to have lunch at the White House with First Lady, Betty Ford and have their hand made ornaments adorn one of the White House Christmas trees. In later years, after moving to Richmond, she continued blessing many with her talent by continuing to work as a seamstress helping with church events and part-time in a fabric shop. There was nothing Ida could not do with a needle and thread! Ida loved to laugh and music meant the world to her. She played the piano and guitar. Never wanting to “sit still”; at West End Assembly of God, she joined the weekly Prayer Group. She quickly saw a need and in true Ida form said, "those ladies don’t have enough music”, so she dusted off her guitar and started leading them in worship. Ida was good with the group, never hesitated to let them know if they were singing off key...she loved them and they loved her. And if she missed a week, the ladies did not hesitate to tell her how they missed her and her guitar. And for Ida, that was all she needed and the singing would began. Ida touched the lives of so many people with her kindness, always managing to find the good in everyone. She trusted God relentlessly and taught her children to do the same. Ida never backed down from a challenge, always maintained a positive spirit and gave Alzheimer’s a fight. Through it all, she would always manage to sing and laugh. All of her nurses loved her and, anyone who came in contact with her, often referred to her as someone “special.” As the end approached the disease became too much for Ida to fight, she became tired and her singing became weak. It was at that time God wanted her to sing louder and stronger and he took her home where she would be able to do so. We are thankful to God for allowing us to have Ida for 95 years! The life she lived and how she lived was always positive, always with a smile and always with a positive word. She accepted people for who they were and was never judgmental. She believed in the importance of education, honesty, patriotism, humility and forgiveness. In the evening silence God called his Angel home, gently wrapped his arms around her and spoke with his grace…. “JOB WELL DONE.”