Marie Lucile Mercer's Obituary
Marie Lucile (Griffin) Mercer was born on June 24, 1932 to Walter and Georgian Griffin in Tidewater, Florida. Marie passed on January 27, 2015 in Lakewood, Washington. She graduated from Booker T. Washington high school in Dunnellon, Florida. Marie attended college briefly under the tutelage of Ms. Mary McLeod Bethune who later founded Bethune Cookman College. However, she had to leave prior to graduation to return home to assist her parents. She reunited with Roosevelt Mercer, Sr. and they were married on April 4, 1952. Marie's greatest passion was being a mother to her five children and being an elementary school educator. Upon her husband's retirement from the United States Army she began her professional career. She served over 20 years with the United States Civil Service and retired in August 1993. During this time she returned to College and obtained her Bachelors Degree in 1983.
Marie had a superior intellect, unique and marvelous touch with people. Her presence has always been felt in a positive way and indelibly noticed as an inspiring, team building, helpful and caring individual, even in the midst of family crisis. All who knew her, readily acknowledge that her ability to get along with people is truly unique and rare. Marie always, always went the extra mile. She had that magic, unquantifiable quality that resulted in drawing out the very best from everyone that got to know her.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Georgian Griffin, brothers Walter Griffin, Jr., Charles Griffin and sister Nellie Mae Holbert. She is survived by her husband of 61 Years MSgt Roosevelt Mercer, Sr., USA (ret), sons Major General Roosevelt Mercer, Jr. USAF (ret) (Michaeline), Lt. Thaddeus Zebedee Mercer, Seattle Fire Department (ret) (Diana), Eric Keith Mercer, Corrections Officer, Washington Corrections Center for Women (ret) (Naana) and daughters Ms. Aloria Darlene Mercer and Yvette Lavon Mercer. Sisters Margaret Ann Singleton (Robert), Morrell Jones (Jimmie), brother Archie Lee Griffin. Grandchildren David Smith III, Eric Mercer, Jr., Sidnee Arielle Mercer, Abraham Kweisi Mercer, Myra Joyce Brisky and Faith Gabrielle Kinnear and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
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