Mary Ann Rollins
Posted By Marlan Gary On September 10, 2020 @ 3:25 pm In Obituaries | 7 Comments
On Wednesday, August 26 2020, Mary Ann Rollins passed away peacefully. Mary Ann was born June 16th, 1935 to Harry and LaVada Browder. Mary Ann was their only child.
Mary Ann moved to Chillicothe Ohio in her early years. She graduated in 1953 from Chillicothe High School. She returned to Columbus after graduation to attend The Ohio State University where she received her BSN in 1957. After graduation she began her 50 year career with the City of Columbus as a public health nurse. She started in the field and was known as “the walking nurse.” She later went in the STD clinic where she spent the majority of her working years. She affectionately known as the “Syphilis Queen.”
In 1960 she married the love of her life, Lawrence Price Rollins. They were married for 59 years till his death in July 2019.Their union was blessed with 2 wonderful daughters, Gina Leslie and Laurie Ann. Later they were blessed with 2 grandsons, Brandon Edward and LaRon Malik. Her marriage to Lawrence to her Bethany Presbyterian Church where she remained a faithful member until her death. Mary Ann truly loved her husband, daughters, grandsons, grand dogs, family, friends, and church.
Mary Ann possessed a fun loving spirit not only to her family but to anyone she came in contact with. She loved good jazz and shared with Lawrence an extensive jazz collection. In her younger days, she played Bridge and Canasta. She hosted many a card party. She loved to travel, shop, cook and entertain.. Mary Ann was a huge Ohio State football fan. She and Lawrence attended home games for over 30 years until their health would not allow them to do so. Mary Ann’s guilty pleasure was telling dirty jokes. However, most of all Mary Ann she love to introduce life to her daughters exposing them to the arts and discovering the country.
Mary Ann was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She was active from November 13th 1954 until her death. She served as Women’s Day Captain and the Women of Bethany at her church. She was an active member of Helen Jenkins Davis Scholarship Fund Lunch Bunch. She served on The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church from 1992 to 1998. Mary Ann’s honors include: 50 year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and by the City of Columbus for 50 years of service. In 2004, she was named a Shero by the City of Columbus. Also was recognized in 2004 by Columbus City Council. In 2013 The Ohio State University Nursing Department honor her as a Nursing Legend. Also in 2013 she received the Nurse Trailblazer Award by the Columbus Black Nurses.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Harry S Browder, Lewis and LaVada Sullivan. The love of her life, Lawrence P Rollins. A very special cousin, Tonia Browder.
Mary Ann leaves to cherish her memory her daughters Gina Leslie and Laurie Ann. Her grandsons, Brandon Edward Philips and LaRon Malik Senior. Sister-in-law, Judith Rollins. Lifelong friends, Helmar Jackson and Marva Williams. Honorary Son, Ronald Ferguson. A host of nieces and nephews, other family and friends.c
PUBLIC Visitation 9:00 AM
PRIVATE Visitation 10:00 and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Monday, September 14, 2020 at First Church of God, 3480 Refugee Rd.
Interment at Dayton National Cemetery.
A MASK IS MANDATORY.
Condolences for the family of “Mary Ann Rollins”
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I met Mary Ann when I was an OSU student nurse in 1964. She was my senior advisor during my training at the Columbus City Public Health Dept. She was such a good influence on me that I applied for a job as a public health nurse and was lucky to be assigned to Mary Ann’s nursing group, under Mrs. Tanner’s supervision. We worked together for almost 3 years until I moved to be near my husband when he joined the Army. I grew up in a small rural area of Ohio, so working in public health was full of surprises and a challenge for me. Mary Ann was always there to answer my questions, give me moral support and to make me
laugh. She was so jolly, helpful and caring. We occasionally crossed paths at OSU Nursing events over the years. Memories of her will remain with me always and I am privileged to call her my friend!
privileged to call her my friend.
Mary Ann was a skilled and compassionate nurse and a wonderful coworker. She served clients at Columbus Public Health with kindness, acceptance and respect.
Dear Gina and Laurie and Family, it was with sadness to learn of Maryann’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your Mom she will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was truly a very sweet lady. She has taken her place in Heaven now with the Love of her life Lawrence well done good and faithful servants.
May your memories comfort you in your time of sorrow and may the love you shared bring you strength in the days ahead. Our love and prayers are with you always. God bless and our love Aunt Judy, Pattie, Lorenzo and Chelsea, Terri, Maliik and Autymn.
Family of Mary Ann: My sincerest condolences to you on the passing of Mary Ann. I had the pleasure of working with Mary Ann for much of her public health career. She was a caring and fun loving person whose smile would light up a room. To work for the Columbus Public Health for 50 years is remarkable; she was a steady and reliable professional in the sexually transmitted disease program. Thank all of you for sharing this special person with all of us. Bill Myers, Columbus City Health Commissioner (retired).
Family of Mary Ann – My sincere condolences to you in the loss of your dear Mary Ann. I met Mary Ann at The Ohio State University in 1954. Christine Sowell and I were roommates at OSU. And, Mary Ann stayed in our combined dorms. We spent many nights talking late about the happenings of the day in those days. After I left OSU I met up with Mary Ann in Dayton, Ohio during her nursing career in Dayton. I kept up with Mary Ann until after Christine passed and I didn’t come to Columbus much anymore. I just found out today from Jesselyn Peagler that Mary Ann had earned her Wings. I remember her contagious, warm smile, and those many funny jokes. I really enjoyed every moment that I had the pleasure to spend with her over the years. She was a delight for me to be around. I was deeply saddened by this news today. Know that you have my sincerest condolences.
Barbara Jacobs Kennedy
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Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
May the God of all comfort help to ease the pain of your grief. Truly sorry for your loss.