Marian H. Castlin was born in Chillicothe, Ohio on November 1, 1932 to the late James Robert Smith Sr. and Irma D. (Jones) Smith. She passed peacefully in the early afternoon of March 18, 2021 at Mount Carmel Hospice.
In childhood and beyond, she loved baseball. As her brothers would attest through the years, she could throw a strike with the best of them. She loved to drive, liked to fish, and late in life she became an avid bird watcher. Sitting by her window through the seasons, she was always willing to give a kind smile or friendly wave to neighbors.
Marian accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young woman at First Baptist Church in Chillicothe, Ohio and then became a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio for over 50 years, serving as a member of Senior Choir #2 and the Comfort Ministry. She enjoyed many years of Christian Education, taking courses of study at the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission convention and annually at the School of Christian Training held at local churches throughout the city.
Beginning in 1955, she worked over thirty years at the Ohio Bell Telephone company (AT&T), first as one of the few African American operators in the company and later in the investigative fraud unit as senior clerk. She was a proud member of the Communications Workers of America Local 4320. She retired in 1986 and was recognized by the Telephone Pioneers of America for her many years of outstanding and dedicated service.
Marian was a devoted mother and grandmother who sought out as many experiences as she could provide for her son and granddaughter, always teaching them to try new things, be well rounded, fearless and kind. She was the kind of mother that was at every game, every meet, every band performance, and every scouting event, often bringing many of the other kids there too.
A celebrated and cherished cook, she loved hosting her extended family for Christmas brunch through the years. We will remember her beautiful smile and infectious laugh. We will remember the pound cakes she lovingly mailed out of state for birthdays. We will all miss her pies.
Marian was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Castlin Sr.; brother, William Marshal Smith; sister, Erma Jean Smith; and sister-in-law, Iris L Smith.
She leaves to cherish her memory, son Daniel Alan (Lisa) Holliman; granddaughter Gabriela Holliman-Lopez; daughter-in-law Gretchen Lopez; brother James R. Smith Jr.; nephews James R. (Pam) Smith III, Mark A. (April) Smith, Steven L. (Teresa) Smith; nieces Pearline Byrd, Derre L. (Tobey) Attia, Renee (Roderick) Jones, Sherry Robertson and a host of grand nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. We will all miss her vibrant spirit.
Private Visitation 10:00 AM and Private Funeral Service 11:00 AM Monday, March 29, 2021 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. (one block east of Noe Bixby, turn North on Lonsdale Rd.). Mask and Social Distancing are required. Interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.
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We are sorry to hear of Marian’s passing. Please send our respects to each of the Jones, Smith, Holliman, and Castlin families in their time of grief. Also, know that Marian’s sincere kindness and warm smile will be truly missed.
Dan, our cherished brother-fellow-warrior and to your grieving family;
The Linzie family sends prayers of peace. We mourn with you. Death cannot, nor can distance separate our bonds. Neither can physical or health challenges break our ties that bind. Thank you from the depths of our hearts for sharing your kind and loving mother Mrs. Marian Castlin. I thank you and your mother for shared kindnesses while we studied at The University of Michigan. Dan, you have Mom through life, death and throughout eternity. She is resting and is living in Spirit and our memories. Mrs. Castlin’s obituary is a glorious written testimony of her wonderful accomplishments reflecting a well lived Christian witness. Its her life full of faith in God, American business, union strength, community and family. Mrs. Castlin’s life perfectly reflects a snapshot of Black womanhood. Mrs. Castlin ties us to a great celebration of our rich legacy. Through her, we have survived The Middle Passage and with hope landed in Ohio. Even more, her story connects us to the nation and world – West! Simply and quietly, Mrs. Castlin is one of millions of strong women that worked, studied, sacrificed, loved baseball, kept family safe and well fed-morally and ethically grounded, lit torches of faith and nurtured sons and daughters and family and community while building a powerfully strong telecommunication connected America. Mrs. Castlin is a great Buckeye, a true American. And, the entire human family takes note of her graceful life and celebrate Marian H. Castlin’s transition into glory. You have our prayers,
Dr. Roderick K. Linzie, Atlanta, GA
The Linzie Family, PA, NJ, CA
Marian,
I will miss you. When I go to the mailbox, I will miss you not coming to our meeting space where we often greeted each other, shared stories, laughed and enjoyed being neighbors. I will miss that beautiful smile of yours and especially that laugh that belonged to only you. Rest in Power and peace. love ,your neighbor, Marvenia.
To Danny and family,
When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot God hath taught me to say: It is well, it is well, with my soul.
May the God of all comfort give you strength to face today, hope in tomorrow and peace to face the future.
With Love & Prayers,
C – Victoria Harris
To the family of Marian Castlin, we extend our deepest condolences and lifting you up at this difficult time. Ms. Castlin was a great neighbor. I enjoyed hearing her laugh and her friendly smile and wave across the street. She would occasionally provide us with her delicious pound cakes which were delightful. She was a great classy lady.
Mr. & Mrs. Martin & Stephanie Hughes