Mother Ida L. Graham

Ida Lou Rose Graham was born on October 30, 1925, in Quitman, Brooks County, Georgia. She was the twelfth of twelve children born to the late Reverend Reuben and Berdia Mae Rose, all of whom preceded her in death.

Ida’s early years were spent in Quitman with her parents and this is where her love for the Lord began. Under the spiritual guidance of her father who served at their home church, Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal in nearby Dixie, Georgia (holding its own historical significance as it was founded in the late 1860’s by newly freedmen after emancipation), she learned the values of prayer, perseverance, and service. Her faith took root and that became the foundation of her life.

Ida began her education at Brooks County Elementary School. She later moved to Valdosta to live with her oldest sister where she finished her education, graduating from Dasher High School. During her time in Valdosta, she formed an incredibly close bond with three of her nieces in particular, Willie Mae, Dorothy, and Audrey. And when she moved to Seattle in 1944 with her husband, those same nieces would join her here, becoming a small but precious piece of “home” that helped keep her Georgia roots alive as she built a new life in the Pacific Northwest.

With a caring heart and unwavering dedication to service, Ida became a Nurse and served faithfully for 25 years at Providence Hospital. Her compassion and professionalism touched countless lives — patients, families, and colleagues alike.

Beyond her nursing career, Ida was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and faithful servant in the church. Her love for teaching and caring for others shone through in every part of her life — from teaching children in Sunday School to opening her home and running a daycare for many years. Her nurturing spirit shaped the lives of many children who fondly remember her warmth, discipline, and kindness.

Ida will be remembered for her steadfast faith, her strength of character, and her generous heart. She leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and devotion that continues to inspire all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her grandson, Andre Foxx; her parents, Rev. Reuben and Berdia Rose; her sisters, Luevenia Brasswell (Willie), Berthia Braswell (Rev. James), Annie Mae Marshall (Lucious), Jeanetta Mosley (Rev. Herman), Essie Mae Rose, Gladys Goss (John), and another that sadly passed at birth; and her brothers, Willie Rose (Mattie), James Henry Rose (Elise), Johnny Lee Rose (Martha), and Gary Rose.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters: Marilyn Sullivan of Tacoma, WA; Dolores Washington of Goodyear, AZ; Jackie Wofford of Seattle, WA; Denise Scott (Lemuel) of Seattle, WA; and Kim Thurman of Seattle, WA; foster daughters, Lola and Michelle Herron; grandchildren, Joe Foxx, Jamie Sullivan, Yolanda Thomas (Johnny), Roy Lawson (Jennifer), Donnita Cunningham (Antreal), Dana Burns, Shanel Wofford, Adrian Scott (Marva), and Taleia Thurman; and goddaughters, Robin Braswell and Connie Gray.

Along with a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, great GREAT grandchildren, and many more.

Her life was a testament to faith, hard work, and love — a life well-lived and deeply treasured.

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