Ida Belle Dillard

Patricia (Ida) Dillard, daughter of Oscar and Norma Sanders was born on June 1, 1932 in Grant Town, West Virginia. Growing up, Ida loved climbing trees, playing tennis, volleyball, and crocheting.

At the age of 18, Ida moved to be with her mother who was then living in Michigan. When she arrived at the bus station, Alphonso Dillard was there to pick her up. He was quite taken with Ida and said he was going to marry her. Her reply, “What makes you think I will marry you?” Six months later, on October 30, 1951, they were married.

Their marriage was blessed with four boys, Alfonso, Michael, Norman and Cornelius. To help support the family, Ida worked as a dry cleaner and then in 1965 she went to school to be a nurse. She worked the night shift from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. so she could come home and get the boys ready for school and have the family together for supper every evening. Sadly, her husband, Alphonso, passed away in 1968. Ida then shouldered the responsibility of raising her four boys on her own. She continued working as a nurse until she retired in 1999.

Ida came into contact with Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1968. Seeds of truth were planted in her heart. Some years later, Ida’s mother began studying the Bible with the Witnesses and Ida would listen in. Eventually, Ida requested her own Bible study. She was a quiet, mild-mannered and inquisitive student. Her love for Jehovah and the truth found in the Bible grew and Ida was baptized on October 1, 1996. Ida loved serving Jehovah with her brothers and sisters in the congregation. She faithfully attended meetings in person as long as she could. She was also zealous in the ministry. Until recently, she enjoyed doing cart witnessing outside her apartment building and doing letter writing. She served as a continuous, auxiliary pioneer dedicating at least 30 hours a month in the ministry.

In getting to know Ida, you found out she loved to dress up. Everything had to coordinate down to the sunglasses. She enjoyed eating with and spending time with friends. She loved music and liked to listen to smooth jazz as well as the kingdom songs and music videos.

Ida displayed beautiful qualities in her life. She was humble, loving and kind; calm, patient and forgiving. When you told Ida you loved her, her response was, “I love you more.” She was very appreciative.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Ida is survived by her sons Micheal (wife Angie), Norman, and Cornelius; grandchildren: Patricia, Cornelius, Tatiana, Brandy, Dion. Great grand-children: Alaijah, Alesia, Amaiyah-Grace, Anyza, Arieauna, Avi, Azyah, Brittany, Faith, Kaliyah, Lyshawn, Mailynn, Mia, Tyis, Ylecia. Great, great grand-children: Amillion, Christian and Nicolas, as well as nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will take place at 4:00 pm on May 3, 2025 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses located at 14777 E. 10 Mile Road in Warren, Michigan.

Zoom Information:
Meeting ID: 609 332 1370
Password: 777586

Dial in number:
5864395828;586985#https://jworg.zoom.us/j/6093321370?pwd=N1N4aWZRTzBJaFU0Y3FwcGt3YnJCUT09