Lillian P. McGoodwin

Lillian Pollard McGoodwin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. She was the youngest child of Taylor and Winifred Pollard and was born on February 16, 1933. She attended and graduated from Abington High School in Abington, Pennsylvania before enrolling at Central State College in Wilberforce, Ohio.

It was there, in 1952, that she met the love of her life, Roland C. McGoodwin, Sr. Their relationship flourished more and more over the next 73 years. However, two years into her college journey, Lillian returned to Pennsylvania to help care for her ailing father. Meanwhile, upon graduation, Roland was commissioned an infantry officer as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army.

On May 12, 1956, Lillian and Roland were married and honeymooned in New York City. Shortly after, they were stationed at Fort Ord, California, where they welcomed their first child, Nina Marie, on April 13, 1958. The following year, they moved to Nashville, Tennessee as Roland began his studies at Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry, while Lillian worked as a medical technician at Hubbard Hospital. After receiving his DDS degree, they moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They both worked in their respective professions at the Albert Einstein Medical Center; Roland was training as a Dental Anesthesiologist while Lillian worked as a Lab Technician.

In 1966, the family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Roland started his private dental practice in Walnut Hills. Lillian played a key role in helping to sustain the practice while also focusing on their growing family. That same year, on August 5, 1966, they welcomed their second child, Roland Jr.

After Roland Jr.’s birth, Lillian returned to college, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Cincinnati. She went on to work as a substitute teacher for Cincinnati Public Schools and played an active role in fundraising for the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA). She worked as a social worker at the Central Community Health Board, continuing her lifelong dedication to service and community support.

Lillian was a member and active participant of several organizations: the Cincinnati Chapter of the Moles, Fun Day Nighters, Jack and Jill, and New Breed Couples Club.

Lillian accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior early in life. She was baptized at Salem Grove Baptist Church at the age of 12. She attended Union Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio and later joined in 1988, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Orlando B. Yates. Lillian was an active member and President of Circle 8 and served as the Co-chairperson in 1989 and Chairperson in 1990 of the Annual Women’s Day program at Union Baptist Church. She remained active until the onset of declining health.

On October 28, 2000, Roland Sr. and Lillian celebrated the marriage of Roland Jr. and Tamil. On November 19, 2002, Lillian and Roland became grandparents to Carson Michelle. Lillian loved her family, particularly her children and granddaughter, and she set the standard of love for her family. She demonstrated honesty, generosity, devotion and kindness as her children developed these characteristics. She was soft spoken in demeanor, rarely raising her voice, killing with kindness to prove a point.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, Taylor and Winifred Pollard; brother, Benjamin; sister, Winifred; and sister-in-law, Nina McGoodwin Lewis.

Lillian is survived by: her loving husband, Roland Sr.; daughter, Nina Marie; son, Roland Jr. (Tamil); grand-daughter, Carson; nieces, Beverly Coleman, Shirlene Coleman, Gina Goodman, Karen (Jerry) Bell and Carolyn Hatcher; and a host of other relatives and friends, who will cherish her memory.

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