Dr. Mamie Rhea Jordan Toole was born in Pachuta, Mississippi on April 18, 1923 to the late Ivy and Millie Bender Jordan. She was the youngest of the nine children born to this union.

Her family relocated to Meridian, Mississippi where she attended public schools and graduated from T. J. Harris High School as one of the top ten scholars. Mamie continued her education and attended Henderson Business College in Memphis, Tennessee. After graduating from college with honors Mamie was chosen to work for the Department of the Navy during World War II in Washington, DC. She was later transferred to Chicago, Illinois where she met a Navy man named, Leonard Franklin, and shortly thereafter became his wife. After he was honorably discharged they moved to Akron, Ohio. Mamie sang in the B. F. Goodrich gospel choir which her husband had organized. The choir received high ratings and reviews throughout northeast Ohio and Mamie was often invited to bless congregations with her angelic soprano voice.

As a career educator, Mamie was one of the original teachers with the Akron Summit County Head Start Program. She spent over 20 years with this program. Continuing her education on weeknights and weekends. She received her Master’s degree and began teaching with the Akron Public Schools at Glover Elementary until she retired. Even in retirement she continued to teach as a substitute teacher taking on short- and long-term assignments.

Mamie’s many achievements included the elevation of her love of writing. She wrote many many poems specializing in individual personalized writings. When requested she would write a personal story reflecting on one’s total life history. She even published a book about it entitled “Personally Yours”. Everyone she wrote about held a special place in her heart and she made them feel very special. In addition to “Personally Yours” she has published six additional books that made you laugh “Grandma’s Ugly in the Morning”, made you think “Too Many Oops” and or made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside like “My Friend Minnie”. She loved to reflect historically by reciting poems by famous authors such as Maya Angelo, Langston Hughes and Paul Lawrence Dunbar to name a few. She was an amazing storyteller and would perform in full costume. Always engaging. Her motivations would have her audience on the edge of their seat. Four of Mamie’s poems are featured in the “New Millenium Poets Book 2000 edition and the 2016 Book’s second edition includes her biography. Mamie was acknowledged in an interview by the Story Corps and Mamie’s bibliography can be found in the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

Mamie held memberships in many organizations and was an activist for what’s right. She had memberships in the Council of Negro Woman, Ed Davis Senior Citizen Group and a lifetime member of the PTA and NAACP. She was named Black Professional Woman of the Year, and Mother of the Year twice. She was a ten-year veteran of the Performing Arts team for the Medina County School District and a member of the Youth Motivational Task Force of Akron, Ohio. She received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Christian International Bible College and Seminary at the age of 91. She also served as a board member for the school.

Mamie loved the Lord. She would witness to everyone who would listen. Always telling people of the goodness of God. As a member of the First Apostolic Faith Church for over 50 years, Mamie sang in the choir, was a member of the usher board, served as historian and a trustee. Mamie was loved by so many. It was never too early or too late for her to pray with you, to give sound advice and to mentor, motivate and encourage you.

After 100 years, 8 months and 19 days Dr. Mamie Rhea Toole took her rest in heaven on January 6, 2024.

Preceded in death by her husband, Albert Toole, Sr, parents Ivy and Millie Bender Jordan, daughters Sandra and Cheryle Franklin, Sara Lash, Frances Brooks, Sandra and Patricia Toole; sons Donahue Shropshire, Albert Jr and Alfred Toole; brothers John, James, Ivy, Burnice and Ezkiel Jordan, Troy Jones; sisters Annie Elliott, Hattie Coleman, Mary Wilson, Ziporah Rhodes, Lillian Jordan Austin, Kathleen Welch; grandson Benjamin Lash; post deceased in death by sister Sara Brown.

She is survived by daughters Myrna Johnson, Kathryn Jiminez, Kella (Dejale) Solomon, Rosa Price; sons Wayne Ivey Jordan, Malcolm Lash Sr, nephews Michael (Benita) Brooks, Randall Coleman, Wilbur (Deborah) and Burnice (Diane) Jordan; nieces Cynthia and Gail Brooks; Godson, Garry Dirden; Sisters Carol Joyce Finley-Johnson, Dorothy Welch; brother Renard Harmon; 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; Goddaughters Kelly Davison-Shaw, Dr. Candance Cooper; special caregiver Isibe Ysumde and a host of other relatives and friends.