Ida Geraldine Epps was a famous American known for being Teddy Pendergrass’ mother. Her fame was tied to the success of her son, Teddy, who was a popular American singer and songwriter.
Ida lost her son many years ago, but she went on to live to be over 100 years old. Here is all to know about her and what she was up to before she passed.
Fascinating Facts You Need To Know About Ida Geraldine Epps
1. Early life and bio of Ida Geraldine Epps
Ida was born on May 5, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While it is known that she was brought up in Pennsylvania, details about her childhood, parents, siblings, and education are all not available in the public domain.
2. Ida Epps was married to Jesse Pendergrass for a few years
Ida was in her twenties when she got married to Jesse Pendergrass. The exact year in which they married was not clear, but it is believed that she was in her early to mid-20s when she met and got married to him. Sadly, the marriage did not last a long time before it came to an end.
3. She suffered six miscarriages
Ida struggled to have kids after she got married, but that was not to be for a few years after her marriage. She went through six miscarriages along the line but she did not reveal if that was caused by any medical condition or if there was any other reason behind it.
4. Ida’s marriage was later blessed with a son
On March 26, 1950, Ida Geraldine Epps and her then-husband, Jesse Pendergrass welcomed a son, Theodore Pendergrass. A devote Christian, Ida revealed that Theodore, which means gift from God, was the name God placed in her heart when she found out after numerous miscarriages that she was finally going to have a child.
Theodore grew up to become one of the biggest voices of R&B in his generation. His career spanned from 1970 until 2008 and in between, he released numerous albums. He also received five Grammy award nominations for his works; Close the Door (1978), I Can’t Live Without Your Love (1981), Joy (1988), How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (1991), and Voodoo (1993).
5. She raised her child as a single parent
Ida’s struggles did not end with the birth of Teddy as not long after she had him, her husband, Jesse, walked out on the family. By 1962 when Teddy was 12 years old and Ida was 44, Jesse Pendergrass was killed.
6. Teddy Pendergrass’ mother was a strong force in his life
Ida was a strong pillar in the life of her son right from his birth, until his death. Her role in his life and that of his first wife, Karen Still became more significant in 1982 when he suffered a car crash that left him paralyzed from the chest downward.
7. What did she do for a living?
Nothing was reported about the career life of Ida or what she did for a living, but she has been identified a number of times as a “prophet mother” which suggests she was once a minister of the word.
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8. She was left out of Teddy’s will
Before Teddy Pendergrass’ death in 2010, his first marriage to Karen Pendergrass had ended in divorce in 2002 and in 2008, two years before his demise, he married Joan Williams.
By the time of his death, Teddy did not leave so much as it was reported that he left behind a car loan and lost his home in Penn Valley. More so, there was a suit against him by his songwriting partner.
The remaining things he left behind went to his widow, Joan, and nothing was there in his will for Ida and his children with Karen. The singer’s son, Teddy Jr, dragged Joan to court with another will, but the court gave Karen control of the late singer’s assets.
9. Ida Geraldine did not get married again
Since her failed marriage to Jesse and his unfortunate demise, Ida remained a single mother to her son, without getting married again, until her old age and demise. It is not known if she dated anyone after her marriage ended in divorce.
10. Is Ida Geraldine Epps still alive?
Although the news of her death did not make the rounds and so many people still believe she is alive, it has been made known that Teddy Pendergrass’ mother lost her life on July 20, 2022. She was 104 years old when she died peacefully in her sleep.
Ida was preceded in death by her former husband who as stated, died in 1962, and her son, Teddy, who died on January 13, 2010, at the age of 59.
She left behind her grandchildren, Teddy Pendergrass II, Tisha Pendergrass, Tamon Pendergrass, and LaDonna Pendergrass. She also had grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ida Pendergrass was laid to rest at Westminster Cemetery in Philadelphia
