Mellonee Idlebird

Mellonee Idlebird was born December 28, 1926, in Robertson County near Hearne, Texas, the fifth of eight children. Her parents, the late Charles and Amanda Idlebird, recognized her musical gifts at an early age comparing her to Mozart. Her young siblings shortened that label to the lifelong nickname Mody. Mody grew up in a strong Christian family as a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Hearne, Texas, where she was baptized in the Brazos River. In 1932, she moved with her family during the Great Depression to the community of Fairbanks in Houston, Texas. Later, the family resided in the Sixth Ward area moving on to Independence Heights.

Mody was educated in Houston at the Harper School and Booker T. Washington High School on West Dallas Street. She graduated in the Class of 1944. Mody continued her education at Houston College for Negros, now known as Texas Southern University, and Hughes Business School.

As a young adult, Mody lived a few years in Oakland, California. She returned to Houston where she lived in a home filled with music, often playing piano for the entire neighborhood to enjoy. Mody had a diverse group of friends and relationships. She retired from a job where she spoke Spanish and learned to love enchiladas and tacos. Mody’s church affiliations included Greater Macedonia, Mt. Pillar, Concord Missionary, and Lakewood Churches.

Mody lived a full life surrounded by her beloved daughter, Ingrid, her loving family and friends. She welcomed and uplifted visitors to her home treating everyone as special guests. She spent years extending her love and nurturing to a long list of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews! She leaves fun loved memories for all to cherish.

Mody was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Amanda Idlebird; sisters, Vivian Ray Johnson (Travis) and Mary Bernice Scott; brothers, Fred Lee Idlebird (Jewel), Curtis Hugh Idlebird (Clara) and Van Lil Idlebird (Eula).