Marie J Lindsey's Obituary
Memorial Services were held Sunday December 7, 2014 at Narrows Glen Retirement/Residence Complex. Highlights of the services will be posted soon for viewing on this website.
Comment cards received at her Memorial Services are being complied and will be posted soon of this website.
A Bench of Comfort is available from December 21- January 21 for those wanting to visit mother at her gravesite at Mountain View Memorial Park
4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW Lakewood, WA (just outside of Tacoma) (253) 584-0252 Please check in at main office for gravesite location assistance.
Marie “Mimi” Josephine Jordan Lindsey
Her History and Legacy
Marie “Mimi” Josephine Jordan Lindsey, daughter of the famed Ragtime/Jazz Composer Joe Jordan and Irene Hudlin Jordan, Tacoma Pioneer and Community Leader, was born July 25, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois. She moved to Harlem as a toddler in 1925 where she lived a productive childhood and young adulthood. Being a bright young lady, she entered Hunter Teachers College at the young age of 16 where she received her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Education with specialization in teaching Spanish and French Languages. She continued her studies and received Master of Arts in Education and Library Science at Columbia Uni¬versity and University of Washington respectively.
She utilized her academic achievements and professional aspirations to pursue a 37-year career as the head librarian for the US Army Library Services for the state of Washington. She was the first African American woman to achieve the high rank of GS12 as the Chief Librarian for the US Army and under her leader¬ship she managed the full operation of libraries at Fort Lewis, Yakima Firing Center, Vancouver Barracks and Fort Lawton in Seattle, Washington. She revolutionalized the library system by upgrading check out systems, building new facilities and institutionalizing dependent family services. After retiring from the military library supervision she served two years as the Tacoma Public Library Systems Assistant Director and continued her passion to initiate and maintain high quality library services for the citizens of Tacoma.
Mimi was a long-time member of Allen AME Church and volunteered as the church secretary for sixteen years after retiring from her library career. She maintained a strong conviction to serving God and her community. She served on numerous boards, was a lifetime member and a “Golden Girl” of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and was the highlight of the infamous fundraising event – The Over 40’s Revue, performing numerous years as “Legs” Lindsey.
She has received a plethora of awards, commendations and proclamations for her outstanding community service and volunteerism.
“Mimi” passed away peacefully on November 12, 2014 after succumbing to a terminal illness which she chose to keep very private from family and friends. True to her steadfast conviction of not inflicting discomfort on others Mimi battled her illness as best she could independently until accepting Hospice Care in August 2014.
She was a true champion of life’s challenges and faced her imminent heavenly homecoming with bravery. She never shed a tear and remained her inspiring, uplifting self to the end. Tony and Kimi are truly blessed for God’s gift of taking Mimi peacefully and painlessly to her heavenly home.
She is survived by her son Anthony Ginn and daughter Kimi Irene Ginn; granddaughter Tisa Marie Rabun Marshall and grandsons Carl “Trey” Lee Rabun, III, Jordan Parker Ginn and Wilson Carter Ginn; great grandchildren Addison Simone Marshall, Parker Dennis Ginn and Malcolm Davis Ginn; nephews Clay, Paul and Joel Jordan, and niece Nicole Jordan Landeros. She had one sibling, her brother Lowell Jordan who preceded her in death.
Celebration of Life
Memorial Service
for
Marie “Mimi” Josephine Jordan Lindsey
July 25, 1923 – November 12, 2014
Welcome and Greetings.......................................................................Regina Glenn
Mistress of Ceremony
Invocation....................................................................................Pastor Kevin Rogers
Pastor, Mt. Tahoma Seventh-day Adventist Church
Guest Comments Cards Information...............................................Regina Glenn
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Presentation
City of Tacoma Presentation
Narrows Glen Acknowledgment.............................................................Jan Wieder
Executive Director
Team Mimi Recognition.....................................................................Regina Glenn
Reading of Mimi’s History and Legacy..........................................Gordon Peters
Family Friend
My Funny Valentine – Piano Solo................................................Stephen Barrow
Family Friend
Reading of Poem – Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou..............Beverly Miller
Family Friend
Eulogy..................................................................................................Ellis H. Casson
Presiding Elder, Retired
Family Reflections................................................................................Anthony Ginn
Son
Kimi Irene Ginn
Daughter
Smile..................................................................................Recorded by Natalie Cole
Benediction..................................................................................Pastor Kevin Rogers
ReceptionFamily will remain for a short time during reception and then depart for a private reception off site. Thank you for your understanding.
Mimi’s Family
Anthony Ginn, Son
Jordan Parker Ginn, Grandson
Nicole Haston Ginn, Granddaughter-in-Law
Parker Dennis Ginn, Great Grandson
Malcolm Davis Ginn, Great Grandson
Wilson Carter Ginn, Grandson
Kimi Irene Ginn, Daughter
Tisa Marie Rabun-Marshall, Granddaughter
James Adam Marshall, Grandson-in-Law
Addison Simone Marshall, Great Granddaughter
Carl Lee Rabun, III “Trey,” Grandson
Philip Marks, Grandson-in-Law
Carl Lee Rabun, Jr., Son-in-Law
Sylvia Parker, Daughter-in-Law
Clay Jordan, NephewPaul Jordan, Nephew
Joel Jordan, Nephew
Nicole Jordan Landeros, Niece
Mari Jordan Hanson, Sister-in-Law
Nancy Casson Jones, God-Daughter
God saw you getting tired, when a cure was not to be.
So God wrapped arms around you and whispered “come to me.”
You did not deserve what you went through, so God gave you rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, God only takes the best.
And when we saw you sleeping so peaceful and free from pain.
We knew the sun was shining and took away the rain.
Acknowledgments
The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, care, kindness and support shown during our time of bereavement.
Donations
Donations can be made honoring Mimi as follows:
Mail to:
Group Health Hospice Foundation
P.O. Box 34015
Seattle, WA 98124-4015
Check payable to: Group Health Hospice Foundation
Check subject: In Memory of Marie J. Lindsey (GH 609892)
Mail to:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
P.O. Box 11072
Tacoma, WA 98411
Check payable to: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Check subject: Marie Lindsey Scholarship Fund
Phone: 253-273-2999
Website Information
Website with compilation of comments cards collected at today’s Celebration of Life and other information regarding Mimi can be found on:
www.mountainviewtacoma.com – starting December 8, 2014
Thank You For Honoring Our Mother.
“Live Life To The Fullest!”Keep On Smiling!
God Bless You!
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