Marie R. White

Marie Robinson White was born on July 3, 1930, to her beloved parents, Charles Sr. and Mary Ellen (Green) Robinson who are now deceased. They had been married 74 years. Marie was the youngest of eight siblings: Magnolia, Rosetta, Charles Jr., Fred, Joseph, Paul and Henry. Marie felt blessed and often gave thanks to Our Heavenly Father for having placed her into such a loving, caring and supportive family. This same type of love and caring she extended to her husband, Moss of 66+ years; their son, Kim Sheldon; grandchildren, Dawnielle Nicole Crooks (Timothy) and Adam Charles (Keisha); and great-grandchildren, Timaya Chandler Marie, Titus Kenison Crooks, Braylon Edward and Brenden Kyree White. The love of family was paramount in Marie’s life. Her guidance to them has been to do their best. To think of the consequence probabilities before acting that could help or hinder their progress in life. To be willing to discuss issues with others without losing self-control...and whenever they desired something to not be afraid to seek and ask questions to obtain it...and by all means, attempt to keep the peace in their lives! To remember that each day we awake is another chance to better do!

Following is an example of how her guidance was acceptable to her grandchild, Adam. One day Adam had a written project to do for school that was entitled, “Prayer Interview.” He wrote, “I chose my grandmother to interview because I see her say her prayers every morning and night and she is always giving thanks to God and trusting in his words...and she enjoyed giving her opinion and knowledge on things.” When Marie saw what he had written, she laughed at the “opinion” part and felt encouraged that her guidance was acceptable to him. Marie had a strong belief in God and looked to Him for her guidance! She realized God’s love for her at the age of eight and accepted Him into her life through baptism given by the late Rev. J. Franklin Walker, pastor of The Metropolitan Baptist Church. Regularly, she attended Sunday School and sang in the Junior Choir, attended BYPU (Baptist Young People Union) sessions and participated in youth activities of the church. Marie adopted and has been attending Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, under the tutelage of Senior Pastor Jerome Clay. There, she enjoyed the good preaching, spiritual songs, the demonstration of caring attitudes toward church attendees/community and the emphasises given to the youth.

Marie was a dedicated worker beginning as a camp counselor, store clerk, insurance cashier, librarian typist and card printer, postal letter sorter, junior high school activity coordinator and learning lab advisor, teacher, assistant principal and principal.

As a child, she began play acting as a teacher...organizing, instructing and being creative with her playmates and her brothers’ marbles. The love of becoming a teacher was the dream in her heart. She prepared herself by attending the Cincinnati Public Schools and going on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at the University of Cincinnati. Then in 1956, she became a true teacher. She served as an Art Teacher at Cummins, Colombian and Hays Elementary Schools and Sawyer Junior High School and found her students to be a joy! Later, she served as an Assistant Principal at Rockdale and Oakley Elementary Schools. She continued on to become Principal at Windsor Elementary School then Bond Hill Elementary School and from there she retired in 1986.

After retiring from the school system, she volunteered her services to show gratefulness to our Heavenly Father for the many blessings that He had bestowed on her and to keep in touch with the public. She gave service to the following organizations: The Cincinnati Bar Auxiliary (as a tour guide of the Hamilton County Justice System, Bethesda Hospitals Auxiliary (as a member, vice-president, secretary, membership co-chair), Bethesda Oak Hospital (as a receptionist in the Surgery Waiting Room), The Cincinnati Human Services Advisory Commission (board member), United Home Care (board member) and The Woman’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati (member).

She held Life Memberships in the Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association (emeritus status), Ohio Retirement Teachers Association and NAACP Organization (local and national).

As a youth, she was active in sports...track, baseball and volleyball, the YWCA’s Senior Phi Oser Club for teenage girls, a member of TIDS (those inclined deltas sorority in high school) and a leader in three social clubs.

In 1952, during her college days, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Marie loved dancing, bowling, family gatherings and small group discussion sessions. Home was a special place for her. Viewed as a private place of refuge to recoup from daily doings/interactions with others and to be oneself and relax.

Along with her immediate family members to celebrate her memories are: her nephews, Richard and Michael Robinson; nieces, Vicki Jo Bowers and Alisa Tucker; sister-in-law, Johnnie Mae; nephews, Glenn and Britton Riley, Maleika and Laura Buford; and other relatives and friends.

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