Ida Bell Gilliard

Ida Bell Gilliard, 82, of Raleigh, NC departed this earthly life on Monday December 18, 2023.   Funeral service 12:30 PM Thursday December 28, 2023 at Deliverance Cathedral of Love, 1705 Curtis Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610, preceded by a 12:00 PM visitation.  A walk through public viewing is scheduled on Wednesday December 27, 2023 at Haywood Funeral Home, 2415 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM.  Interment will follow the service to Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Ida McNair Gilliard was born on August 24, 1941, in Emanuel County, Georgia. She was a loving, devoted, and fun mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She spent invaluable time with her children and grandchildren and had a quick, witty, sense of humor. She kept her family and friends in stitches. She transitioned to her heavenly home on December 18, 2023.

Ida has been a faithful member for many years of Deliverance Cathedral of Love under the pastorage of Bishop M.S. Nesbitt. She graduated from Ligon High School, class of 1960, and received formal training from Shaw University in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She adored children and owned and operated an in-home family daycare, where she provided nurturing and loving care to the young children who attended. She retired from Project Enlightenment in August 2001 with over 30 years of service in childhood education with the Wake County School System. Oftentimes, Ida’s coworkers would seek guidance from her prior to reaching out to the professional specialists.    

Ida had a knack for fixing things, a love for thrifting, and a passion for collecting antiques. She found tranquility at the beach and the sound of the waves crashing, and also enjoyed taking trips with the Golden Eagle Senior Group. During family gatherings, her family would jokingly call her Dr. Ida Bell because her knowledge was powered by “YouTube University.” She was the queen of diagnosing herself and her children. She was very protective of her children and always in Mama Bear mode.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Eliza McNair, her loving husband, Robert Gilliard, of fifty-plus years, her two sons Otis Ray Lanier, Jr. and Jeffrey Ray Lanier, and grandson Nathan Lamont Goode.

She leaves to celebrate her ascension into heaven: three loving children, Angela Goode (Anthony, Sr.), Beverly Gilbert (Tracy) and Ronald Gilliard, Sr.; eight grandchildren, Anthony “TJ” Goode, Jr. (Stacy), Oshana Watkins (Duane), Tandra Ramos (Walter), Bryant Gilbert, Ashley Harris (Stephen), Josh Lanier, Tiffany Lanier, Ronald Gilliard, Jr and her great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends who loved her very much.  
 

" A chapter completed, a page turned, a life well lived, a rest well earned. "

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