Ida Spinks

Ida Mae Harrell Spinks ran into the arms of Jesus on Monday, September 26, 2024, at the age of 101. Ida Spinks resided in the Baker community for over seventy years. She was born at her family's home in Gillsburg, Mississippi on November 5, 1922, to William Alex and Maggie Mae Caston Harrell. Her first doctor’s visit was not until February of the year after she was born. Because of this, her recorded birth year was 1922, but she insisted she was actually born in 1921, making her 102 years old! Ida resided in Gillsburg, Mississippi on her family’s large farm where she milked cows and picked cotton. After marriage and moving to Baker, Louisiana, Ida was a longtime waitress at the Belmont and worked a second job in the cafeteria at Ryan Airport. She then drove the school bus for thirty years for EBRPSB, driving the Zachary and Brownsfield route for Redemptorist Catholic School. After retirement, she dedicated much of her time to volunteering with elderly individuals in nursing homes. Ida was known for her love of the outdoors and her delicious cooking. Her home cooking will be greatly missed.

Ida is survived by her son, James Toland Spinks, Jr. (Rosemary) of Lake Rose Mound, Louisiana; five grandchildren, Stephanie Hendrick Szwak, Jennifer Hendrick Niolet (Scott), Trey Spinks (Kelly), Randy Spinks (Amy), and Katie Spinks Bailey (Chris); fourteen great grandchildren, Nathan Quick (Andi), Heather Quick Cavalier (Matthew), Andrew, Hayden, Joseph, Caroline, and Caleb Spinks, Eliza Kate and Bennett Bailey, Henry and Vivian Spinks, and Grayson, Annalee, and Madison Niolet; three great-great grandchildren, Vivian and Marshall Cavalier, and Henry Quick; two sisters, Bettye Wilson (Ray) of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Kay Francis Alford (Sam) of Kentwood, Louisiana; brother, Charles Harrell of Greensburg, Louisiana; and countless caring and loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ida is preceded in death by her husband, James Toland Spinks, Sr. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; daughter, Margaret Edith Spinks Hendrick of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; her parents; sisters, Jerrie Harrell Chenevert of Alexandria, Louisiana, Dorris Higgins, and Hilda Harrell Michelli; and brothers, Tyrone Harrell of Gillsburg, Mississippi, Jimmy Dale Harrell, and Nolan Harrell.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Quick, Trey Spinks, Randy Spinks, Matthew Cavalier, Andrew Spinks, and Haden Spinks. Honorary pallbearer will be Robert Deblanc.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for visitation at Baker Funeral Home, 6401 Groom Road, Baker, LA, on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, from 11:00 AM until the funeral service at 1:00 PM. The burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Baker. Family and friends may sign our online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.bakerfuneralhomeonline.com.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Baton Rouge and her nurses, Jamie and Mary. In addition, they would like to thank her lovely sitters, Tammy Jordan, Alesha Rogers, and Elise. Our grandmother lived a long life thanks to her cousin, Robert Deblanc, who took special care of her over the last twenty years; she always looked forward to his visits on Mondays. Also, they would like to say a special thank you to Marilyn “Pie” Taylor for checking on her over the last five years and making sure her medications were taken daily.