Ida R. Vereen Steele

Mrs. Ida Retha Vereen Steele, daughter of the late Mr. Morris Jefferson and Mrs. Ellen Elizabeth (Lewis) Vereen was born on August 24, 1933 in the Wampee section of Horry County, South Carolina.  She entered into eternal rest on July 29, 2020 in Conway, South Carolina.

She attended the Wampee area and Aynor public schools.  At an early age, she accepted Christ as her Savior and joined St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church in Cool Springs.  Ida sang on the choir and faithfully attended church until her health failed.

She was united in holy wedlock to Archie Steele for 41 years.  She and Archie attended church together, regularly.  Most often she was employed as a housekeeper for private homes and Myrtle Beach hotels/resorts.  She was a foster parent to four girls (sisters) for several years.  She ensured that church life was a part of their experience.  Ida retired around the age of 67.  Upon retirement, she regularly visited the elderly in her community.  She would assist with light chores and often brought them care packages.  Ida could bake a “mean pound cake” which she often shared with family and friends.  Ida was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sibling and friend.  When Archie’s health failed; she took care of him until he passed in 2012.

Predeceased by:  her parents, seven brothers, Messrs. Adam, Rulie, Lenwood, Ossie, Eugene, Willie and Frank Vereen; four sisters, Miss Rosanna Vereen, Mrs. Fannie Mae Belle Livingston, Mrs. Ola Mae Fore, Mrs. Earline Hemingway; her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Glennie Ann Williams, her grandson, Archie Lee Williams, Jr in 2014 and her only son, Archie Lee (Buddy) Williams in 2016, her previous husbands:  Ralph V Ward and George Williams.

            She leaves to cherish her precious memories, a loving daughter, Mary Ward Gentry, of Trenton, NJ, her beloved grandchildren;  Shawnda Gause Mack, Thomas Gause, Jr., Bryan (Olivia) Gentry of NJ, Gloria, Glendale and Christlian Williams of Aynor, SC, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, two sisters; Mrs. Christine Jenks, Little River, SC and Mrs. Barbara J. Bellamy, Aynor, SC; a sister-in-law Mrs. Lula Stanley Vereen, Wampee, SC, the staff at Conway Manor and Caris Healthcare, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and a special niece Phyllis A. Vereen.

The Viewing will be at Latimers Funeral Home Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 11:30- 3PM . The Graveside Funeral will be held Wed. Aug. 5, 2020 11AM St. Matthews MBC in Cool Spring, SC.

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