Mable Lee Ingram

Mable's favorite place has always been with those she loved and those who loved her. She lived each day with a heart filled with music and the countless lessons and love instilled through her dedication to God and her Christian faith in all things. Mable often told friends and family, "Together is my favorite place to be." Born in 1930 as the middle child of 11 brothers and sisters, Mable's love for travel was a common theme throughout her life - yet it was with her family and community that she chose to be. During her nearly 100 years of life, Mable carried the lessons of hard work that she learned while working alongside her parents, sisters, and brothers on the family homestead. These life lessons were rooted in God and Christian faith, including her work as a Nurse's Aide and as an ordained Minister in the A.M.E. Zion Church-New York Conference. Mable also served as a Minister of Music in churches during her youth and adult life.

After marrying Walter Ingram, Jr., they moved to Poughkeepsie, New York, where Mable lived and raised her daughter, Joyce, and son, Donald, until she made her home with Joyce in Thomasville, Georgia. For the past 20 years, Mable enjoyed her daily excursions across country roads in southern Georgia and northern Florida, exploring antique and vintage stores, church fellowship, and sampling local restaurants - including accompanying Joyce during professional visits to universities while making new friends along the way. In later years, Mable was often the first out the door, heading for the car with a smile and sunglasses: "Are you coming, Nuke?"

Joyce and Donald often said the greatest gift their mother gave them was being raised in the church, where they learned Christian values and the teachings of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, which became the foundation of their life journeys. Mable's love of music, especially church music, was her lifelong companion and filled her with joy wherever she was. In appreciation of her service to her faith, Mable received a distinguished service award from the St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church in Poughkeepsie.

Mable was a constant companion in her daughter's dream of restoring a Victorian home in one of Thomasville's historic districts, taking great joy in caring for the home and cherishing the daily chores that created a place of love, happiness, and beauty. Mable often quoted her mother, Annie B. Merritt, when describing how she spent her life with a grin: "doing, doing, doing!"

In her early years in Thomasville, Mable spent her days outside caring for her home, including the Azalea bushes and Camellia trees that surrounded it, creating a place of joy. Mable was often seen enjoying a summer afternoon by the front door or gently sweeping the sidewalk that welcomed visitors, family, and friends. Mable often treated visitors to playing a song on the antique church organ or singing with Joyce, including hymns such as Blessed Assurance, Amazing Grace, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah - or one of her favorites, Jesus Loves Me or Jesus All the Time.

Mable will be remembered and deeply loved by her children, Joyce and Donald (wife Doretha), and family, friends, and community, including her three surviving sisters, Doris Mae, Dixie Ree, and Helen Rose. She is also survived by her grandsons, Donte (wife, Brady), Dylan, and DaJuan (wife, Tedrone), and great-grandchildren, Dior Alexander and DaLeiya. She is preceded in death by her husband, Walter; her parents, William L. Merritt and Annie B. Merritt; and her six brothers and two sisters.

In remembering Mable, her children ask that you take a moment to cherish life's simple gifts: nature, flowers, music, and, most importantly, God's love, family, and friends. As you do, offer a prayer of gratitude for a life of kindness. Her legacy lives on in those who loved her and whose lives she enriched.