Marylyn S. Lander

Marylyn S. Lander departed this life on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at St. Joseph Hospice Care Center, Lexington, Kentucky. She was born on September 26, 1924, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to the union of the late Lawrence and Carrie Shepherd.

Upon the death of her mother, she and her brother Lawrence moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma with their father. The family then moved to Tucson, Arizona, where Marylyn graduated from B.T. Washington-Tucson Senior High School in May of 1943. She matriculated to Tuskegee Institute where she earned her Diploma of Nursing in 1955 from Avila College and in 1970, she earned a Masters of Arts from UMKC.

Marylyn was a member of West Paseo/Swope Parkway United Christian Church for over 50 years, where she served as a greeter, usher, kitchen-worker, and numerous other positions. While in Frankfort, Kentucky, she attended St. John A.M.E. Church with her daughter.

She began her career as a Nursing Supervisor for the Old General Hospital. In 1963, she began working as a registered nurse at various elementary, junior and senior high schools for the Public School District in Kansas City, Missouri. She held positions as Director of Nursing and Nursing Instructor at Penn Valley Community College until her retirement in May of 1984. After retirement, she worked in various Nursing Homes as a consultant until 2001. She served on several boards, Planned Parenthood, Florence Home for Girls and the Swope Parkway Health Center. In November 2002, she moved to Frankfort, Kentucky with her daughter and family.

Marylyn loved life and lived life to the fullest. She was always willing to help those in need. Many family members and friends resided in the house on South Benton. She worked tirelessly with “Dud” (Mildred Dudley) at Graceland Elementary and Paseo High School. The administrators hated to see “Dud” and “Lan” coming because they knew something was up and they had some task to accomplish. She also helped “Dud” with Girl Scouts.

Marylyn was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, James J. Lander, Sr.; one brother, Ricky Brown; two sisters, Velma Robinson and Mozel Hudson; nephews, Vernon, Sonny, Nyle “Harry” and Donald Robinson.

Marylyn leaves behind to share the love and wonderful memories of her life with daughter, Courtney L. Carter (Raymond); son, James J. Lander, Jr. (Carla); grandchildren, Rashondra T. Banks, James III, Ashley Pennington, Justin, Jessica, Michael J. Carter, Jada; great grandson, Michael Alexander Holloway, II; one brother, Lawrence (Hattie) Shepherd; brother-in-laws, Cressworth (Cheryl) Lander, Tucson, AZ and Donald (Jeanette) Lander, Los Angeles, CA; sister-in-law, Patricia Rodez, Benton Harbor, MI; step grandkids Keisha, Kierra, Jeffrey, Shayla Rodriguez and step great grandchildren, Navia Sanders, Deasia Summers, Makyla Sanders, Damayah Summers. She also leaves to mourn a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 603 Teton Trail, Frankfort KY 40601.