Ida Mae Washington was born on May 14, 1929, to the late Jim and Sophie Shorter in Montgomery, Alabama. On October 25, 2024, she passed away peacefully at home at the age of 95.  She was preceded in death by her husband; Rev. Jacob Washington, Sr., sons; Jacob Washington, Jr. and Dwayne Washington, brothers; James, Frank, Joseph  and Nick Shorter, sisters; Beatrice Hollis, Lizie Mae Moses, Mary Eddy and Annie Lee Senter.

The youngest of 9 children, Ida Mae attended Montgomery County Training School where she graduated in 1947 with honors.  As a young adult, Ida Mae moved to Pontiac, Michigan where she was employed by St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan. In 1954, she married Jacob Washington. From this union, four children were born: Donald, Jacob Jr., Kenneth and Dwayne.

Ida Mae accepted Christ as a young child.  She was the First Lady of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.  She also served on the Mother's Board of New Springfield Missionary Baptist Church for decades: both churches in Pontiac, Michigan. When she could no longer attend church, she continued to serve and minister from home.

An accomplished baker and plant cultivator, she also loved coffee, peanut brittle, soap operas, western television programs, game shows, baseball games and gospel music.

She is survived by sons Donald (Cheryl) and Kenneth (Brenda), five grandchildren Kenneth Eugene Jr. (Patrice), Jacob III., Shira Janelle, Donald Wilkes Jr., and Dwayne Lamar Jr., lifelong friend and niece Ida Sinclair Reed, great-niece La Shanda Davis, special sons Roger Jackson and Jerry Love, longtime friends Naome Vining and Gladys Byrd.

She will lie in repose on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Cobb's Funeral Home 151 Orchard Lake Road, Pontiac, Michigan, from 12:00pm  - 6:00pm.

Celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church 124 Prospect St., Pontiac, Michigan.  Family hour will begin at 10:30am and the service will immediately start at 11:00am.,  Rev. William Parker, Jr. Internment will be held at Perry Mount Park Cemetery, Pontiac, Michigan.