Ida M. Arbeau, 83 of Oxford passed away Thursday, February 26, 2015 at Riverside Healthcare. She was born on December 11, 1931 in Clayton. to the late Cecil and Clara Mae Thompson. Ms. Arbeau loved the Lord and was a loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. She sewed for the church, the school system and even made costumes for the show “In the Heat of The Night”. Ms. Arbeau also lovingly cared for many children in her home. She was a member and Sunday school teacher at Canaan Baptist Church for over 35 years. Everyone knew her by “Aunt Ida” or “Ms. Ida”. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her son Danny Ray Smith, granddaughter Tracy Bell and several brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her children Jackie (John) Shaffer, Louise (JW) Bell, Dennis (Amelia) Smith and Joel (Tonya) Smith; grandchildren Becky, Lisa, Joe, Keri, Dennis, Michael, Daniel, CJ, Leigh and Jennifer; 33 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; brothers Johnny Thompson and Homer Thompson and sisters Olive Wilbanks and Sara Thompson.
A memorial service will be held Monday, March 2, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Canaan Baptist Church with Pastor Billy Ingram officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 from 2 – 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Canaan a Youth Ministry of Canaan Baptist Church in Ms. Arbeau’s memory. Online condolences may be made at wheelerfuneralhome.com. Wheeler Funeral Home 11405 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington, GA. 30016 (770) 786-7111