Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, Inc. | GA

Obituary For Mrs. Ida Mae McLaughlin

Ida Mae Gooden McLaughlin was born on June 14, 1938 in Phenix City, Alabama to the late Charlie Ben Gooden Senior and Nettie Bell Gooden. Ida was the second eldest of seven siblings. She was preceded in death by one brother, Charlie Ben Gooden Jr. and two sisters, Diane Gooden and Martha Ann Harris. She attended Mother Mary Mission. She furthered her education at Blakely Business School and Georgia State University. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of over 30 years, Samuel “Vann” McLaughlin.

She gave her life to Christ at an early age. Ida joined Tabernacle Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend E.H. Dorsey. She served as a Deaconess , as a member of the Trustee Board and as the president of the TBC usherettes for 30 years. In 2005, Ida moved her membership to Zion Hill Baptist Church under the pastoral Leadership of Pastor Aaron L. Parker PH.D. At Zion Hill she served on the senior usher board for 15 years. She was also a member of the June Birth Club and the Missionary Society.

After 30 years of dedicated service, Ida retired from the United States Postal Service in January 1998. At the time of her retirement, she served as the Postmaster of Scottsdale, GA. After retiring from the Post Office, Ida became a water fitness instructor and a lifeguard at Helene S. Mills Senior Citizen Facility. She served as a water fitness instructor for 16 years before retiring for the second time. Ida was a member of Toastmaster’s International and served as District 14 Governor for many years. Ida had a passion for travel and was affectionally called “Mustang Sally” by her family because she was always on the go. She served as one of the officers of the Darnell Travel Club. Ida visited 45 of the 50 states along with countless other countries.

She leaves to cherish her memory; one daughter, Yolanda Rome, Four grandchildren; Ayana T. Harvey, Afton S. Norris (Sulean), Latavia S. Norris and R. Jabari Rome, Four great grandchildren; Autumn L. Davis, Summer K. Norris, Giancarlo A. Houston and Cayden S. Houston. Two sisters; Mary E. Stringfield and Sandra G. Mathis. One brother; Charles E. Gooden (Juanita). One sister in law; Alice Johnson, A special devoted niece; Shelia Gooden and a host of other nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Private Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. McLaughlin will be Saturday, August 8, 2020 @ 10:00AM.

Viewing will be Friday from 2-6PM.

Live Stream: https://youtu.be/WQNYLPUbz4E

Interment: Westview Cemetery

Due to the spread of COVID-19, we are requesting that everyone wear a mask.

Services entrusted to Willie A. Watkins Historic West End Chapel, 404-758-1731.

Guest Book

Our deepest sympathy to a very special lady. May you find comfort in sweet memories of your loved one. The Winfrey, Bowden and Blackmon Families

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On behave of the Deaconess Board of Tabernacle Baptist Church we the Deaconess', says to the Family "Remember Ida was a faithful solider, that God Cares and So we do. You the family are in our prayers".

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Our deepest condolences to all the family. Sister Ida will be greatly miss we love her dearly. Missionary Ministry Zion Hill Baptist Church. Pat Hutchins

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Nephew KANTIGI Camara (Garland McLaughlin) grieves for his Aunt Ida who loved him and supported him. She now joins Uncle Sam in their heavenly home. Sympathy to my extended family.God bless us all.

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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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Gene & Anita Wheeler:

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Yolanda, please accept our sincere condolences. We are so sorry to hear about the death of a your Mother. Our hearts truly ache when we lose such a dear one. Hold on to those loving memories of the times you spent together. Continue to rely on "the God of all comfort".

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Praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Our sincere and heartfelt condolences are also with you and the family. We will miss Ida. -Cousins Lorene (Smith) Black and Warren Edith (Smith) Wright

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My sincerest condolences. I will always cherish the conversations that we shared and the lessons learned while participating in her water aerobics classes at the Helene Mills Senior Multipurpose Center. She was such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing her with us. May God continue to bless and keep each of you.

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What an Angel, that God has called home. Ida will truly be missed, we served together at Tabernacle on the Usherettes Board. I met her during her years serving as the President. She was a leader she helped persons to be better in life to move forward, to tackle their fear of of being a leader and not always a follower. I will never forget one year on our Anniversary when she already knew the time had come for her to move on, as she got up and spoke on behalf of the board and before she finished she bluntly said that I believe the board will be fine and continue to move in supporting their next leader and then, she said my name. My nerves and fear shot up, because we never discussed that. What I'm saving she believed in me, she had Faith in what I could do in life even if I didn't. Her was work done in getting me to that level and for that Ida McLaughlin, I thank you with all my heart. Your work here has been Signed and Delivered. I will miss you and I love you very much. You sister in Christ, Nita Jennings

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Our deepest condolences to all the family and friends, may you find comfort during this time of sorrow. Albert and Darlene C: Jackson, Ga

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I'm so sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort help you during this difficult time. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4 & Psalms 83:18). Jesus prayed for God's Kingdom to come because He knew it would intervene to solve all mankind's problems even sickness and death. (Revelation 21:3,4 & Daniel 2:44).

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, Inc. | GA