Ida Louise Whiteside shed the shackles of this Earthly existence on October 30, 2020 at the age of 90 years young, for the promise of a better place. Born April 17, 1930 in Dumas, Mississippi to the late William M and Vancie Lee (Cappleman) Stricklin, she was a farmer’s daughter. As the eldest of six children, she mastered the kitchen and helped to raise her younger siblings. Having moved to Memphis after graduating high school, she attended Draughon’s Business College. Upon completion at Draughon’s, she was hired by Phoenix Rubber Company as a bookkeeper.
She married Johnnie W. Whiteside on April 2, 1950 in Blue Mountain, Mississippi. They set up housekeeping in Memphis, Tennessee for 18 months. Then lived in Warrensburg, Missouri, for 2 months before moving to Columbus, Ohio for 9 months before moving back to Warrensburg, Missouri for 9 months. Onward to Warner Robins, Georgia for 9 months, Louise went back to Memphis, Tennessee for 18 months while Johnnie was stationed in France, upon return from overseas, then to Spokane, Washington. Dad left the military and they went back to Memphis, Tennessee, welcoming Sandra Lynn on April 30, 1956. He was recalled to the Air Force, and on they go again, to Blytheville, Arkansas welcoming Glenda Leigh on December 22, 1958, to Little Rock AFB in 1960. Mom and the girls went to Ripley, Mississippi in 1965 while Dad went to Vietnam for one year, forward to Enid, Oklahoma (Vance AFB), back to Little Rock AFB in 1971. Following the military “wife” style, they retired from LRAFB in 1976 and have called Jacksonville home since.
She was a stay-at-home mother throughout her girls’ childhoods staying busy sewing all their clothes, cooking, cleaning, socializing through the NCO Wives Club, and was an active teacher in Sunday School/VBS at military bases. She worked at Jacksonville Paint and Wallpaper as a bookkeeper during the mid to late ‘70’s, finally retiring as a teaching paraprofessional in Adult Education from Little Rock School District in 1993.
She is survived by her husband, Johnnie W. Whiteside; daughters, Sandra L. (Terry) Sansing of Jacksonville, Arkansas and Glenda L. (Robert) Sieger of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Melanie D. (Jason) Meinhardt of Oklahoma City; two grandsons Sandy A. (April) Sansing of St. Louis, Missouri and Terry L. Sansing of Jacksonville, Arkansas; granddaughter-in-law Camille (Timothy) Sieger of Moore, Oklahoma; two great-grandsons, Devon R. Sieger and Zackary B. Meinhardt; one sister Emma Sue Day; sisters-in-law, Sarah Whiteside Stroud and Patricia Boyette Stricklin Hamilton; numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great-grand nieces and great-grand nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Billy Joe, James Robert, John Edward; sister Henrietta; in-law family and grandson Timothy R. Sieger is in Heaven, ready to greet her along with numerous friends.
In light of the current health concerns, Ida Louise’s family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers if you are not able to attend the service. Please be aware, as per Arkansas directives, attendance will be regulated in accordance to Arkansas guidelines, all guests in attendance will be required wear masks/facial coverings and social distancing guidelines will be in place.
Visitation will be Friday, November 6, 2020 at 9:30 AM with funeral service beginning at 10:30 AM at A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas. Interment will be at 12:00 PM at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 West Maryland, North Little Rock, Arkansas.
4 Comments
Mother, you KNOW how much I love you and I KNOW how much you LOVED me! You are ALWAYS in my heart and mind. I hear you come out of my mouth at times, PROVES you’re REALLY part of me! I will miss you so very much, but until it’s my time, I will honor your memory! And I will take the best care of Dad I can in your place, will be a paled attempt, but I will do my very best, Mom! I know Timothy and other family was there to greet you as well as your Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ! I will see you on the other side one day! What a glorious day that will be! Love you Mom – Glenda
This was a great women and will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time and in the coming days and weeks. May she rest in peace.
Johnny, Lisa and I love you and your family. I’m sorry for your loss. May God grant you all the grace and strength to endure this time of sorrow.
Mom, I waited a few days to try to get my thoughts and emotions straight.
You will be greatly missed. I did most of my grieving when you went into the nursing home, as I knew at that point I would lose you. I’ve missed the phone conversations when you berated me for not visiting often enough. I’m doing my best to keep Dad straight & trying to help Glenda deal with another loss. Like Glenda, I hear you in my voice often. And like me, my boys usually dismiss what I said. Terry is sure he’s heard you several times since we married. I know we’ll see you again. I’m certain you will have plenty to tell me.
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