"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."

- Romans 14:8

Ida Mae Gadsden Blandon , the daughter of the late Abel and Edna Dingle Gadsden, was born on May 1, 1928 in Russellville, South Carolina. She transitioned into eternal life with the Lord on Monday, August 14, 2017 at Trident Medical Center, North Charleston, South Carolina.

Ida received her education in the public schools of Berkeley County.

At an early age, Ida accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church.

Ida was joined in Holy Matrimony to Malachi Blandon, Sr. on March 6, 1948. This union was blessed with five children.

After marriage, Ida transferred her membership to Good Shepherd Reformed Episcopal Church. She was a faithful servant and was very active in the church. She was a member of the Senior Choir, member of the Missionary Society, member of the Vestry Board and Chairperson of the Pulpit Aide. She made numerous trips to Philadelphia, PA to attend the functions as the Chairperson of The Women of the Church.

Ida was a caregiver for many children in the community. The love she shared with them has made an impact on their lives by the love they have shown to her over the years. She enjoyed sitting on the porch, waving as cars blew their horns; and she loved listening to WTUA Radio Station. She learned to love watching baseball with her late husband so much, she chose her favorite teams and even learned the players' names. Most importantly, she loved being surrounded by her grands, great-grands, and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Betty J. Koger; grandson, Clayton R. Blandon; granddaughter, Penny Koger; and a nephew reared as her own, Willie E. Gadsden.

She leaves to cherish her fond memories: children, Edna (Frank) Green of Bonneau, SC, Malachi (Joyce) Blandon, Jr. of Hamden, CT, Henry Keith Blandon of New Haven, CT and Jacqueline W. Blandon of Bonneau, SC; grandchildren, Wayne (Scott) McManus-Green of College Park, GA, Terrance (Anna) Koger of Milton, WA, Shanda (Michael) Porter of Miami, FL, Leslie Koger of Washington, DC, Carla Blandon of Columbia, SC, Patrick Paulin of St. Stephen, SC, Heather (Allan) Headley of Lawrenceville, GA and India (Troy) Richardson of Charlotte, NC; great-grandchildren, Lakeishia, Latifah, Alex, Michal Nylah, Ryan, Leah, Zion, Zachary and Quincy; great, great-grandchildren, Zakai, Zamirah and Zakari; granddaughter-in-law, Sheila Blandon; two nieces she helped rear as her own, Vernell G. Hodge and Annie R. Middleton both of Bronx, NY; a host of other special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.