Ida Oatis

Ida Thomas Oatis OCTOBER 15, 2020 Ida Thomas Oatis was born September 23, 1941 to Chris Gillyard and Pearlie Thomas in Mansfield, Louisiana. Ida went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the age of 79. Ida was educated in the DeSoto Parish School System and was a member of the DeSoto High School class of 1959. It was in high school where she developed a love for basketball, playing on the girls’ basketball team. Ida later moved to Shreveport, Louisiana where she worked at an ammunition plant and held other domestic roles. She would later follow her older brothers to Texas City, Texas. There she would meet her husband Richard Oatis and decided to make Texas City her home. God blessed Ida and Richard with two children, Inger and Shedrick. Ida always had a passion for education and continued to pursue higher education in late adulthood. She obtained a vocational certificate in nursing from San Jacinto College and later an associate degree in nursing from the College of the Mainland in 1991. She continued her career as a Registered Nurse until she retired in 2005. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Sunshine Baptist Church in Mansfield, Louisiana. In 2008 Ida became a member of First Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor A. L. Bell. Ida always had a giving, loving heart. If you were ever in need, Ida would do anything in her power to meet your needs. She was always encouraging others to do and be their best. Ida was a consummate optimist. In her eyes, any and everything was possible. Ida was a skillful seamstress and enjoyed making clothing and other items. She also loved to cook and took great pride in preparing meals for her family and friends to enjoy. Ida was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings William Gillyard, Columbus Gillyard, Melvin Gillyard, Edward Finley, and Mable Sawyer. Ida Oatis’ memory will live on in the hearts of her family, her children Inger (Carvin) Daniels, Shedrick (Dawn) Oatis, her grandchildren Ian Franklin, Keelan Oatis, Christian Franklin, Jarmaine Daniels, Jaila Oatis, Shannon Oatis, and Caleb Daniels; brothers; William Small, Willie Small, Elijah Griffin, Sampson Gillyard, Bradley (Shirley) Gillyard, Charley “Ricky” Gillyard, sisters; Daisy Reed, Velma Dumas, Bettie (Ostell) Griggs, Glenda Gillyard; sister in laws Doris Thomas, Gloria Gillyard, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors, friends and the First Baptist Church family. There will be a public visitation held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 9am with a chapel service to begin at 11am. Services to be held at Bay Area Funeral Directors located at 5410 FM 1765 Texas City, Texas 77591. Burial to take place at Hayes Grace Memorial Park at 12:45pm Bay Area Funeral Home