Location: J.C. Battle & Sons Funeral Home (543 Rockdale Ave, Cincinnati OH 45229)

Born: Wednesday 06/23/1943    Died: Wednesday 07/10/2024

 

Visitation

When: Saturday 08/03/2024 10:00am to 10:30am
Location: New Jerusalem Baptist Church
26 W North Bend Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45216

Memorial Service

When: Saturday 08/03/2024 10:30am to 12:00pm
Location: New Jerusalem Baptist Church
26 W North Bend Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45216

 

Obituary

Ella Tidmore was born on June 23, 1943 in Cincinnati, Ohio to loving parents, Derry Tidmore, Sr. and Anna Ree (Larkin) Tidmore.

Ella’s childhood and teenage years were spent growing up in the West End and Price Hill communities, where she developed long-lasting friendships that still exist to this day. Ella, ever “The Diva” was that one child who believed in getting her way with everything, despite the consequences. She endured many spankings whether from sneaking out of the house as a young child to play when she was supposed to be taking a nap, to being sassy with her elders, she endured in being independent despite the consequences. Ella shared many stories of her escapades with nieces and nephews (though advising them not to follow in her footsteps).

She attended Jackson/Stowe grade schools, Oyler Jr. High and graduated from Taft High School in 1961. She especially thrived at Taft, where her many activities and achievements at Taft included Senior Class Officer, Office Helper, Honor Club, Staff Reporter for the school newspaper, cheerleader and Prom Queen.

After graduating, Ella attended Central State University and with one of her closest friends, Antoinette, attended Central State University. During the 60’s it was a financial challenge sending a child off to college. Due to this Ella would return home before being able to graduate and begin her working life. She started working for one of her mentors, Mrs. Valerie Bradley, owner of Kiddie-Garten Nursery School, where Ella became a Head Teacher working with children ages four and five.

Another mentor of Ella’s, Reverend Tecumseh Xavier “T.X.” Graham, a Minister at Saint Mark A.M.E. Zion Church was one of the first people to peak her interest in politics when he ran for Cincinnati City Council. Ella worked hard on his campaign, from canvassing various neighborhoods to setting up a print shop in her family’s garage to make t-shirts. When he was elected, Ella worked in his office as the Administrative Assistant.

During this time Ella was finally able to complete her college education at the University of Cincinnati by attending evening classes. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Social Science and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

When Councilman Graham’s term ended, Ella worked as a freelance consultant. Due to her interest in the legal field, she trained as a paralegal specializing in litigation, which led to her joining the law firm Gaines & Gaines. As paralegal to Leslie Isaiah Gaines, Esq. she developed an extensive knowledge of the justice system and a passion for the rights of defendants. When Gaines was appointed to the Hamilton County Municipal Court as a judge, she joined him as his bailiff, until his retirement from the bench.

During this time Ella was also a consultant for MTB Enterprises, a firm formed with her sisters Marjorie T. Bradford and Pamela Tidmore Riley. One of their clients was the Midwest Black Family Reunion Celebration, which she helped to develop. Over the many years of her involvement, Ella was a Program Director, Pavilion Coordinator and organizer of the VIP Reception. Her work helped create the framework that subsequent BFR committees still use when putting together the yearly event.

After Judge Gaines left the bench, Ella returned to her first love: teaching children. In the years before retiring she taught and cared for kids at Emmanuel Community Center and Loving Arms Day Care Center.

Ella’s love for her family was always at the center of her life. Whether you were immediate family, niece, nephew, or cousin, she had a special relationship with all. As a daughter, she took the commandment to Honor Thy Father and Mother seriously, loving them fiercely and taking care of both as they aged. As a sister, she could be counted on as a friend, a confidant, and a whole support system. As a beloved auntie, she went above and beyond for her nieces and nephews; many consider her to be like a second mom.

Inspired by her mother Anna Ree, who took all of her children down south to visit family every year without fail, Ella kept up her connections and communications with as many of her extensive extended family members as she could. She made family reunions a priority, drove near and far for events and visits and made sure everyone always knew what was going on with everyone else.

Ella had a strong spiritual upbringing. Her father was one of the founding members of Saint Mark A.M.E. Zion Church and her mother was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Though she attended some services with her mother, as a child she joined St. Mark’s along with her other siblings — the services were much shorter! Later in life, she joined New Jerusalem Baptist Church at the encouragement of her close friend Cheryl Meadows. Illness kept her from attending in later years, yet her faith remained strong.

The interest in politics engendered by Rev. Graham never waned, nor did her involvement in the political process. Any conversation with her eventually turned to the political climate of the day. When she could, she campaigned for and supported the candidates she strongly believed in, including those who are also family members. Some of the highlights of her life were visiting the Clinton Presidential Library, attending the first inauguration of President Barack Obama and attending one of his State of the Union addresses. When she visited the White House and Capitol Building, Ella had the honor of meeting one of her heroes, Representative John Lewis.

Ella’s other major interests included sports, which she could talk about as if she was a commentator and history, especially Black and American history. She loved rooting for Ohio State and the Bengals and enjoyed friendly sports rivalries with family members. Due to their excellent historical program- ming, Ella was a big supporter of PBS and encouraged friends and family to pledge every year as she did. She became known as the “town cryer” for her habit of calling everyone to tell them what was on PBS and why they should watch it.

Though we are saddened by her loss, we take comfort in knowing she’s now walking with those who she truly missed. She was preceded in death by: her parents, Derry and Anna Ree; brothers, Joseph, Derry Jr. and Jimmie; sisters, Minnie Dillard and Marjorie Tidmore Bradford; and a niece, Roxanne Tidmore.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her sister, Pamela Tidmore Riley; nephews, Jeffrey Rogers, Derry Christopher Tidmore, Kevin Tidmore, Louis Dillard, James Dillard Jr., Tyrone Dillard and Brandon Andre Riley; nieces, Josette Tidmore Patton, Angela Johnson, Regina Goodlow, Shirley Tidmore, Michelle Sivels, Ann Sledge, and Kimberley Tanya Bradford; plus host of great nieces, nephews and cousins.