Veretha Allen Ingram

Ms. Veretha Allen Ingram departed her earthly home on Sunday, July 19, 2026, after a brief illness. She was born on February 17, 1939, to the late Albert Ingram and Lizzie Thomas Allen in High Point, NC.

Veretha, affectionately known as Mustang Sally, often called Granny or Sapphire, went by Ver, moved to New York City at the tender age of 14. In 1957, Veretha married John “Gilbert” Ingram, Sr. Together, they raised three children: Ken, Looney, and Niecy. She also raised her granddaughter, Belinda, as her own. In addition to her family responsibilities, she fostered children, provided shelter for the homeless, and fed anyone she encountered. Veretha never met a stranger; she considered everyone to be family. With her big heart and warm smile, she loved to cook, dance, dress in her unique style, sing her favorite song "Rough Side of the Mountain," and play the piano, which brought her immense joy. She was the life of any party and was well known for organizing block parties. 

She also had a talent for telling tall tales or sometimes giving people a piece of her mind. After retiring from the city of New York, Veretha received proclamations in 1990 and 1991. Her vibrant spirit continued to shine after retirement; she even owned the entire first floor of her apartment, which was featured in a Steven Spielberg movie. In 2003, She moved back to North Carolina to care for her ailing mother.In addition to her parents, Veretha was preceded in death by her husband, John “Gilbert” Ingram Sr.; her children, Kenneth Allen, John G. Ingram II, and Denise Diane Ingram; two grandchildren, Belinda Cruzado and Isaac Huiett-Adams; as well as her sisters, Della Melton and Mary Reese, and her brothers, Albert Jr. and Douglas Allen. 

Left to cherish her precious memories are her grandchildren, John G. III and Robert Ingram of New York; Tamika Allen; Paul Arnold of Asheboro, NC; Michael Huiett-Adams and Stephan Ingram of New York; eighteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Frances Stokes of High Point, NC, and Cecelia Hayes of Greensboro, NC; brother, Jerry Allen of High Point, NC; sisters-in-law, Ella and Alberta Allen; brother-in-law, Jesse Reese and a host of several special nieces and nephews, family and friends