Marian H. Castlin

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.