Ida Jean Alexander

Ida Jean Alexander, 74, of Newark, Ohio passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 22, 2024. She was born on April 22, 1949, in Springfield, Ohio.

Surviving family members include daughters Toya (Mark) Spencer, Tessa (Lemar) Boyd, Tara Alexander, Taryn (Joe) Johnson, and son Rufus Troy Alexander; grandchildren Langston, Eisley, Ethan, Ian, and Joshua; siblings Linda Threats, Suzette Elston and Tony Smith as well as many other loved ones and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia L. Elston, her father, Wilbur Garett, and brother, Jeffrey Elston.

She was known as "Ida" to friends, "Jeanie" to her siblings, "Mama Ida" to friends of her children, "Ma" or "Mom" to her children, and "Maw Maw" to her grandchildren.

If you knew her, you'd know her family meant the world to her! She would tell you about all the things her girls were doing and how proud she was of them. And when she spoke of Rufus Troy, her only son, there'd be an extra way she doted on him. Then her grandkids came along...Langston, Eisley, and then Ethan, Ian, and Joshua. Her smile couldn't get any wider when she had one of them in her arms. Her heart was so full when they were in her presence.

Ida also loved music - especially jazz and gospel! One of her children's fondest memories of her was listening to her from the backseat of the car, beating on the steering wheel as she was singing a song on the radio. It's where their love for music and rhythm was born.

As a teenager, she learned to play the flute, and later in her adult years, she honed her skills as a percussionist. While in church, it was a joy to see her nestled between the drummer and the conga player, shaking the tambourine, or playing the cabasa instrument and popping the claves with the choir. And oh, when she was really in a groove, she would purse her lips tightly and move her shoulders up and down!

Worshiping God and singing were also soothing to her soul. As a soprano, she was often in the front row, lifting her hands and raising her voice to praise the Lord! Her smile and the enthusiasm with which she sang would draw your attention. In 2016, she found her "tribe" and her "place" when she joined Harmony Project, a Columbus-based community choir that welcomes people from various ethnicities, faiths, backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs who embrace their differences and build social harmony. She cherished serving others through their community service opportunities. When it was time for their concerts, she could barely contain her excitement. One of her most recent happiest moments was attending their concert last October. Without question, David Brown, the founder & creative director, and the members of the Harmony Project had a profound impact on Ida's life.

In her heyday, Ida was known to bake a slammin' apple pie! She'd make the crust from scratch and add plenty of butter and cinnamon sugar for that extra flavor! Later, she moved on to making apple and cherry cobblers. The sweetness from the apple and tartness from the cherry was the perfect combination! One thing is for sure, Ida loved her sweets. You could count on her having some muffins, donuts, and cake slices somewhere in the kitchen. And nearby, there was going to be a bag of Twizzlers.

While Ida tremendously enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, she could never make it to any event on time! And if you were expecting her to bring that apple cherry cobbler for Thanksgiving dinner, you had better tell her dinner was at 3:00 instead of the 'real' start time at 3:30! After a while, we just accepted how she was, and there was no use in getting upset.

There are so many stories to tell. So many beautiful memories will be forever etched in our hearts and minds. The void that her absence leaves is deep. Yet, we are comforted in knowing that she is at peace and rejoicing with her Lord and Savior.

A celebration of Ida's life will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home (10051 Brewster Lane, Powell, Ohio) on April 3, 2024. Friends and family may attend the calling hours from 10 am until the time of the celebration service at noon.

Ida's memorial service will be live-streamed at the scheduled service time.

Please click here to view the service.