Ida Campbell

“Her children arise and call her blessed...” Proverbs 31:28a Ida Isolyn Campbell nee Larmond was born on February 26, 1927 in Potsdam, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica to Stanley and Garry Larmond. Ida was the sixth of 12 children nurtured by loving parents with a strong Christian foundation. She attended St. Mary’s Primary School where she excelled. As a child, Ida was admired. She was very instrumental in helping in and around the home. She not only did housework, but she also helped on the family’s farm and aided in raising her younger siblings. Ms. Ida never wavered in her faith and was an active member of the Potsdam Brethren Assembly. She married Simnel Campbell and to that union 11, children were born. Things were extremely hard, but with God and hard work they persevered together in order to raise a loving and God-fearing family. Ms. Ida loved the Lord and was committed to raising her children with a focus on faith and family. She was a mother who cared deeply for her children and desired the very best for them and was also a mother figure to many, hence the nickname “Mama”. Her home was a haven to many of her children’s friends and members of the community. She treated all the children in the district as her own; feeding them, housing them, ensuring everyone was comfortable. In the mid-1980s, after the passing of her dear husband, Mama migrated to the United States where she lived most of the remainder of her life. She worked as a Home Health Aide and was hardworking and kind, making several friends along the way. Sister Ida was an active member of Gospel Hall Assembly and regularly attended Sunday Worship Service and Bible Study there. Ms. Ida laughed a lot, enjoyed cooking and if you caught her in the kitchen humming and swaying in her three-quarter length skirt, you knew something delicious was brewing. If there was anything Mama had, it was style. Her Sunday best was a testament to flowing fabrics and elaborate hats. Ida lived a simple life. Money can be squandered and property ruined, but what we inherited from her cannot be damaged, destroyed or lost. There will be moments in our lives that will arise when we will want to talk to her and ask her what to do. It is our hope that when those instances happen we can look to each other and find that part of her that she gave to each of us. They say that grief is the price we pay for love. Rather than looking at her passing as a loss, we should always remember that God loaned her to us and has now called her home to Himself. Among those who will cherish her memory are: her siblings Novel Barrett and Donald Larmond; her beloved children: Imogene (Jean), Alvin, Jeremy, Neville, Antonio, Rodney, Brent, Michelle and Oral; 24 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, both her local and international church family, and numerous relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Simnel and her daughters, Doreen and Paulette. Rest in peace Mama. We love you, but God loves you best. Sleep on and take your rest.