Ida Collier
“Well done thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Ida Ruth Collier Partridge was called to her heavenly home on Monday, February 1, 2021.
Born on September 17,1926 to the late Oliver and Julia Collier, she was preceded in death by her sisters Dezel Johnson, Evelyn Adams, Doris Maffett and brother, Oliver Collier. The life she lived was testimony to the Christian tenets of love, graciousness and service.
A Chattanooga native, she graduated from Howard High School. She attended Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia, and later Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee, where she was one of the first to earn a Master’s degree in Elementary Guidance and Counseling. Mrs. Partridge taught thirty five years in the Chattanooga Public School System. Her areas of expertise included home economics, elementary and middle school curriculum, social studies and art education. Mrs. Partridge was a beloved teacher whose personal warmth and professional commitment enriched the lives of her students. She was also an accomplished and talented educator. She helped design an international award-winning curriculum entitled “Careers Going Global”. This three-pronged curriculum, filmed in Hong Kong, introduced students to Americans living and working overseas.
Mrs. Partridge was active in a number of church activities; and professional and civic organizations. She held memberships in the three Chattanooga, State of Tennessee and National Education Associations as well as the Retired Teachers Association. She was a life-long faithful member of The Church of Christ, where she participated in several women’s endeavors. Mrs. Partridge was a proud and active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for seventy four years.
Mrs. Partridge was a passionate world traveler. Through the years, travels to Cairo and The Nile, Egypt; Hong Kong and Beijing, China; Athens, Greece; Paris, France; Singapore, London, England, Bangkok, Thailand; Japan, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Madrid and Malaga, Spain; Mexico and Canada provided opportunities to incorporate these experiences into classroom lessons.
Mrs. Partridge leaves behind to cherish her memory a loving and dedicated daughter, Dr. Chrystal Partridge; and four devoted sons, Lamar (Dedra), Joseph (Debbie), Alvin (Sylvia) and Adrien (Barbara) Partridge. Twelve grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren complete her legacy, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.
Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2-6 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404. A private family Celebration of Life Service, livestreamed on The John P. Franklin Funeral Home Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ jpfchattanooga., will be held Thursday, February 11, 2021, 11 a.m. Internment immediately following at Lakewood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Ivy Rose Foundation, P.O. Box 81053, Chattanooga, TN 37414 or Third Street Church of Christ Building Fund, 2220 East Third Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404.