Mrs. Ida Nell Cook Dawn, Affectionately Knows as "GRANNY" was born on March 8, 1942, to James B. Cook & Martha Rhodes Cook in Stephens, Arkansas. She received sweet rest on February 25, 2026, at Ouachita County Medical Center in Camden, Arkansas. She was a resident of Silver Oaks Rehabilitation Center for Four years, where she thought she was in charge, she was loved and cared for by the staff like they were family.

Ida grew up in Camden, Arkansas and attended public school at Lincoln High School and was a 1960 Graduate.

She met Jerry Dawn Jr. in 1958 and They married on August 6, 1960. To this union they were blessed with three children: Ricky, Rossland, & Cynthia Dawn. They moved the Kansas City, Kansas in 1963 after the birth of their 2nd child. Ida dedicated her career to hospitals & schools dietary & nutrition services. Later she became the Food Service Manager Supervisor at EOF Head Start where she remained until her retirement. She was a member of the "Ladies of Essence Social club for many years, a social service organization for many years.

She was active in the community, and she was known as the neighborhood Mom. She would take in and feed anyone that needed her help, her loving, caring and nurturing heart touched the lives of many people. She was Known as "Mama Dawn" in the neighborhood.

Ida accepted Christ at an early age, she was a member of Mt. Gillard Baptist Church until her health failed. Her laughter, smile, straight forwardness, love, & smile will forever live in the hearts of those who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 21 yours, both her parents, 3 grandchildren Nyckeisha Nikkol, Ross Re'Nard and Darcee Danielle,

Ida Nell leaves to cherish her memory, Three children Ricky (Dana) Dawn of Iola, Kansas Rossland Dawn of Camden, Arkansas, & Cynthia Dawn-Lewis of Camden, Arkansas. Seven grandsons: De' Ayrius Jackson (Courtney), Christopher Nelson, Brandon Berry, Ricky Dawn Jr., Ricky Dawn III, Justin Sequin, & Eric (Lacresha)Sequin. Five Granddaughters: Xzaviera Vasquez, Ne'Kohla Dawn (Shannon Davis), Kanisha Lewis, Latisha Lewis and Erin Gaffney Twenty-One great grandchildren & one great-great grandchild, 3 Bonus Granddaughters Kendra Baker, NiKkia Snow & Jazlyn Hayes. One bonus son Kenneth Blount (Trecia), 2 Nieces Edwina Jefferies (Darryl), and Janet Adams (Chantez). One Nephew Darrell McElroy (Netta) & her last true love "Jerry York, a special friend Pamela Anthony a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Poem for Mother

Mother, you were just a girl,

So many years ago.

You had your loves and had your dreams,

You watched us come and go.

You watched us make the same mistakes,

That you had made before,

But that just made you hold us tight,

And love us all the more.

We haven't always thought about

The things that you have seen.

To us you've just been 'Mother',

No thought of who you've been.

But we remember now in love,

Your life from start to end,

And we're just glad we knew you,

As Mother, and as Friend.

UNK~

Samuel L. Vance & Sons Funeral Directors

" The Epitome of Service "