Ida Mae Penigar was born June 16, 1927, in Camden to Joel Burks and Mary Lee Carter Burks. She was the fourth of five children. She was preceded in by her husband Samuel Penigar in January (1967), father, mother, eldest brother Arthur Burks, Florence Burks, Thelma Burks, Frederick (Brother) Burks, Nephew Michael (Iron Man) Burks in 2012, her only grandson Harold Cordell Penigar (1995) and only son Harold Penigar (2014).

The most influential woman in her life as a child was her maternal grandmother Susie Tate Carter so much so she was calls Little Susie by family member.

At age 20, in 1947 she married Samuel Taylor Penigar of Emerson, Arkansas the son of Taylor Penigar and Duffie Doss Penigar. She is the mother of Harold (Sunny, Bono) Penigar, Camden, Arkansas, and Samantha Penigar of Camden Arkansas.

She and her husband were young entrepreneurs in Camden, Arkansas. They owned and operated a local establishment called the Blue-Ribbon Café and Pool Hall located on the corner of Visor and Radcliff between 1954 through 1957.

In March 1957 the family moved to Los Angeles, California. She worked at various jobs until she landed a position at Mattel (renown toy maker of the Barbie doll and Hot Wheels toys) She earned a five-, ten-, fifteen- and twenty-year certificate of appreciation as well as The Diamond Anniversary pendant and The Twenty-Year Ruby pendant. She retired as a Line Supervisor. Additionally, she was chief assistant Caterer to Rose Cunningham who ran as successful catering enterprise from 1967 until 1977.

In 1977 she moved back to Camden, Arkansas. She worked for various members of the Goins family, AD and Sue Mason and James and Patty Woods.

She was a lifelong member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church from childhood. In 1977 she re-instated her membership at Pilgrim Rest where she served as an usher as well as head of the food service committee and a member of the Mass Choir. Additionally, she was a member of the Cassie Bryant Circle.

Miss Ida as she was fondly called by her neighbors, especially the children of Fort Lookout apartment in Camden, AR where she operated a small none profit "candy store" where she was able to let flow the Christ like spirit of loving kindness to the residents. Two generations of children came to develop a lifelong love for "Miss Ida." She also was a Board Member of the Camden/Ouachita County Community Housing Development Organization, Inc. (COCCHDO) Mrs. Ida single handedly approach Mr. Bobby Colman and I'm sure pestered him without end to build a playground in Fort Look Out. Her persistence resulted in the creation of the playground which included a Basketball Court. Mother was an avid lover of all things Basketball. Her favorite team was Golden State Warriors. She came up with a nickname for Labron James (Crybron) She said he like to play dirty and then cry when he gets caught. She was a strong supporter of the WNBA as well.

She has been a resident of CHA's Riverside Ct. apartments for the past 13 years which she shared with her daughter Samantha Penigar until her call to shed her mortal state in exchange for an immortal form on April 24, 2023, at 1:15 AM. She leaves behind her daughter Samantha Penigar, granddaughter Kenya L. Penigar and Daughter-in-law Johnsie Welch Penigar of Opelika, Alabama, and a host of beloved relatives and friends. For a great many years Mrs. Jessie Lockheart who was her closest and most trusted confidant.