Reverend Dr. Dia Mari-Jata

Rev. Dr. Dia S. Mari-Jata (Ronald Lee Griffin), beloved husband of Wanda A. Mari-Jata; father of Aaron Griffin (Della), Jabari Griffin (Eva), Toshia and Carlos Kelly; grandfather to Sherad, Aaron Sun-Jata, Khalid, Akilah, Nasir, Emani, Yoshua, Kayin, Zaire, Khadijah, Yakira, Sanaa, Tahir, Jahlil, Hassan, Sarakia, Goddess, Azia and Markas; and great-grandfather of eight.

Dia was born Augus 23, 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Clarabelle Fletcher. After graduating from High School in Cleveland and relocating to Cincinnati, he acquired three Master degrees and two PhDs in Education at Xavier University and Theology at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois,

Dia was an Ordained Minister at Union Baptist Church. Dia worked as a Revenue Officer for 15 years at Internal Revenue Service. After his retirement, he worked as an Adjunct Professor at Cincinnati State and St. Claire Colleges. His last employment was as a Chaplain, training at Christ Hospital and working at the University of Cincinnati Trauma Center. He published nine books.

Dia’s passion was history, our ancestors and Africa. He attended the M. Selam Kidanemihemihet Ethiopian Orthodox Church for a short while. In 2021, he went to Ghana, Africa and in 2022, he went to Sierra Leone, where he received his dual citizenship. He loved Africa.

Dia was preceded in death by his mother, Clarabelle Fletcher; his sister, Juanita Carol Wiley; his grandson, Armando Duncan; and many uncles and aunts.

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