Willie Mae Ingram started her life’s journey October 29, 1920 in Candor, North Carolina born to Malone and Henderson Morrison. The Morrison’s relocated to Goldsboro, North Carolina when Willie Mae was a young child.
Willie Mae was educated in the Goldsboro, North Carolina school system. Upon finishing school, Willie Mae moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and worked as a day laborer where she gained a love for fine china, furniture and jewelry.
Willie Mae was introduced by her father to the handsome, William Henry Ingram, Sr. whom she married on June 10, 1942. She gained four (4) loving children and unto this union one (1) daughter was born. Willie Mae and William, affectionately known as “Bill”, were active members of Cornerstone Baptist Church. Willie Mae was a member of the recording gospel choir, The Savettes. Most recently, Willie Mae was a faithful member of New Gethsemane Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She had a love for music of all types and an affection for the piano, which she learned to play at the age of 90. There was not a dance floor that missed the soles of Willie Mae’s feet when a James Brown song was played.
Willie Mae worked for the Philadelphia Board of Education for over 25 years as the Get Set Program’s Head Cook and retired at the age of 73 in 1994. She took tremendous pride in ensuring the children had the absolute best meals. Upon retirement, Willie Mae volunteered her time working at the food pantry and performing front-porch neighborhood watch duties on Redner Street.
Willie Mae lived a rich life on Redner Street for 66 years, creating memories and experiences that will be woven through the fabric of Ingram history for generations to come. Whether Willie Mae was hosting the annual block party, hosting pokeno, pinocle, or simply sitting on the porch, you can guarantee a delicious meal and cream cheese pound cake was waiting to ensure family and friends felt at home.
Willie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Henderson and Malone Morrison; husband, William Henry Ingram, Sr.; sons, Ernest Ingram, Sr., William Ingram, II; daughters, Doris Johnson, Ada Jean Holmes; son-in-law, Harry Elliott.
Willie Mae will be cherished by her loving daughter, Brenda Ingram Elliott; daughter-in-law, Veronica Ingram; adopted daughter, Alice Bryant; grandchildren, Tyrone Ingram (Glenda), Marc Holmes (Shirzone), Wesley Holmes, Lance Holmes, Harvey Holmes, David Ingram, Marsha Ingram, Mark Ingram, Dawn Ingram Upperman (Aubrey), Ernest Ingram, Jr. (Mary), Gregory Ingram (Lilly), Courtney Elliott Henderson (Charles), Brenda Ingram-Best (Alton), Marvin Brown, Jr., Mariah Lynch; 24 great-grandchildren, family, friends and neighbors that will remember her always and love her more than words can say.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, November 1, 2019 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.