Ida L. Criss Chatman

Mother Ida L. Criss Chatman was the second of sixteen children born to the late Albert Criss and
Lee Ethel Miller Criss on August 24, 1935 in Sunflower County, Mississippi. The family later
moved to Bolivar County.
She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and became a member of the
Azion Missionary Baptist Church, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church and White Plain
Baptist Church, respectively. She later became a member of the First Baptist Church in Mound
Bayou and served as a Mother under the leadership of Rev. Earl V. Hall, Sr. Mother Chatman
loved God and she demonstrated her kinship with God by loving and helping people. She never
met a stranger and was always willing to take what she had and share with others.
Her early education was attained in the schools in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. She retired from
the Mound Bayou School District after many years as a food service employee.
Mother Chatman was a fun-loving and caring person who touched the lives of so many, many
people. Her favorite pastimes were “playing in the dirt” (she loved growing flowers), reading,
playing bingo, baking, cooking and fishing.
Mother Chatman departed her life on Sunday, December 13, 2020. She was preceded in death by
her husband, Vernell Chatman; two sons, Rev. Michael V. Chatman, and Kenneth Chatman;
three brothers, Hildred Criss, Vonzell Criss, and Jackie Criss; three sisters, Synorvia Miller,
Margaret Criss and Rhonda Criss.
Those left to celebrate and cherish her memories are: five daughters, Lucy (Isaac) Chatman-
Scott, Doris (Donald) Biggs, Donnis (Willie) Harris, Kendra Wells, Geanell (Lee) Adams, and
three sons Freddie Chatman, Melvin Chatman, and Willie (Denise) Chatman; special niece,
LeBertha (Neal) Mosley; one daughter-in-law, Naomi Chatman; three brothers, Herbert, Criss,
Clyde (Linda) Criss and Pierce Criss; six sisters, Helen Criss, Janice (Jimmy) Richardson,
Lynette Criss, Orleatha Criss, Avis Gordon and Gabriella Prescott; one aunt, Leatrice Williams;
sixteen grandchildren, Angela (Marcus) Mason, Ansley Scott, Arian Adams, Dannett (Cedric)
Dean, Darese Biggs, Henrietta Peeler, LaDonald Biggs, Marcus Chatman, Marilyn (Cranston)
Hill, Rashee Chatman, Renaldo Scott, Royce (Vickie) Chatman, Sabrina Chatman, Tresten
Chatman, Vanessa (Tracy) Cousin and Willie Chatman; twenty two great grandchildren, A’Mya
Avery, Brandon, Caleyna, Caliyah, Caprecia, Cedric, Jr., Darrius, Elijah, Ellery, Emily, Jariel,
Jarius, Jha’Siyh, Jy’Aire, Kalaiya, Kaliaja, Leo, Madison, Maddox, Royce Harris and Story; one
great-great grandchild, Kyona; and a host of nieces and nephews; others near and dear to her
heart, Willie Bland, Brenda Bell Brooks, Bonnie Hutchins, Carlene Peterson, Wanda Stringer,
and an abundance other relatives and friends

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