Ilma Ladonna Oates(Hadley) received her wings on December 28th.

She was born in Centralia, IL on June 12,1939 to the late Robert and Anna Hadley. They relocated to Racine when she was young where she attended Lakeside school. She married her husband, Fred Oates, on April 21, 1983. She was employed at Western Printing and J. I Case for numerous years.  In her later years she was determined to go back to school where she earned her G.E.D from Gateway Technical College.  She also went to college to enhance her skills while working at Ganton (formerly Racine Die Casting) where she later retired.

Ilma started her salvation at Wayman A.M.E Church where she served faithfully thru singing in their choir. She then went to increase her relationship with God at Greater Grace Temple COGIC and Word of Life Church. In both, she created many lasting lifelong friendships. During her last few years she really enjoyed worshiping and fellowshipping at Hope City church. She always talked about how friendly the people were. Even when they had to go virtual, she spoke on how easy it was to connect.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed crocheting–making beautiful scarfs, hats, sweaters, vests and so much more for so many people. She always found ways to keep her mind active. She was a thrifty shopper and loved gardening. Ilma loved being surrounded by family–especially when it came to her special great-grand children-Jermaine, Adrian, Ayden and Kimora aka Momo. Anytime you called her she would be babysitting one, two, three or all four of them. The family gatherings were some of her favorite times also.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, George Miller; her sisters: Jeanette,  Norma, Sandra, Bobbi Jo and Eleanore; her brothers: Paul, Gilbert, Kenneth and Tommy. Grandsons: Maurice Hadley and Joshua Steven Tyler.

Leaving to cherish her memories are her husband, Fred Oates; Sister: Mary (William ) Brown of Euless, TX; brother: Barry (Shirley)Hadley of Hendersonville, NC; sister-in-law: Yvonne Hadley of St Charles, MO; Children: Talana Hadley, Steven Hadley (Atlanta, GA), Melinda Hadley(Eaton), Sophia Tina Marie Miller, Toni Miller, Marcey Miller-Barnes (Shanroy). special niece, Tammi Shareef, special nephew, Pastor Roy Carter. Stepchildren: Debra Turner and Douglas Oates(North Carolina) . Grandchildren: Damika Duckworth, TaNesha Elam, Steven Hadley Jr(Atlanta, GA), Cameron Johnson, Camri Miller and Zuriel Lott; special Godson, Tyler Hadley and a host of great-grand children, great-great grandchildren, family, and friends.

https://youtu.be/w8BFLrMXM1g

Service Details

There will be a public visitation on Sunday January 10, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic the Homegoing Service will be PRIVATE at 2:00 p.m. and is by invitation only. However, it will be live streamed on January 10 ^th beginning at 2:00 p.m. with her nephew, Pastor Roy Carter officiating. Please see the link below.

https://youtu.be/w8BFLrMXM1g

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