Marilyn Lavinia McIver Cogdell

Marilyn Lavinia McIver Cogdell was born on March 4, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Mary Smith and Reverend Ernest T. McIver. Following a brief illness, the Lord beckoned her to rest beyond the skies on Tuesday evening December 11, 2018 from UNC Lenoir Hospital in Kinston, NC.
Marilyn's story is quite a journey of unending strength, endurance, love of family and friends, kindness, generosity and courage.
Marilyn met James Cogdell while her father was pastor at St. Augustus AME Zion Church and they married on August 14, 1950 in Petersburg, Virginia. The happy couple settled in Kinston, North Carolina were they began their lives together and had two daughters, Marilyn Jimmette and Paula Glenn. They were married for 29 years until his untimely passing in 1979.
Marilyn began her formal education in Chicago, Illinois, West Bend, Indiana and graduated from
Peabody High School in Petersburg, Virginia in 1943 at age 16 as the class Salutatorian. She later graduated Cum Laude from Virginia State College with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Social Work in 1947.
She completed further studies in Child Welfare Case Work at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and received a Master of Arts in Education at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC in 1975.
Marilyn began her exemplary career in Social Work at the Department of Social Services in Craven, Durham and Lenoir Counties as a Child Welfare Case Worker where she served for 14 years from 1951 to 1965. During this time, she distinguished herself as the 1 st black social worker in Lenoir County assisting in adoptions and foster care placements for African American children. In addition, Marilyn began the first licensed foster home in Lenoir County. In 1965, Marilyn accepted employment at Dobbs School in Kinston, NC as the Juvenile Evaluation Counselor, quickly promoted to Social Work Supervisor and finally retiring in 1988 as the Associate Director of Campus Life. Marilyn became a licensed real estate broker in 1977 and the 1st black realtor employed by Century 21 – Harry H. Cummings, Inc. in Kinston, NC. She was recognized as a Million Dollar producer for 7 consecutive years from 1988-1995.
St. Augustus AME Zion Church where her father pastored, has always been paramount in Marilyn's life. She has been sustained throughout her life by a deep and enduring faith that never wavered through her illnesses and adversities. At St. Augustus AME Zion Church, Marilyn served in multiple capacities on the Steward Board, Trustee Board, LC Perry Missionary Society and Chairman of the Building Committee during the construction of this edifice and the fellowship hall addition. She exemplified the scripture " In everything set them an example by doing what is good."
Marilyn was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc at Virginia State College in 1944 in the Alpha Epsilon Chapter. She is the last charter member of Zeta Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc in Kinston, NC where she served actively for 63 years. During her tenure in the sorority she has served as president and chairman of various committees. Marilyn has always been a genius in fund raising. This has been proven over the years by her sponsorship of 7 Cotillion Queens including her daughter Paula and granddaughters Donnett and Alicia. She has been an active member of the Entre Nous Social and Civic Club over 60 years.
Her community involvement as a political activist over the years has been demonstrated as she led the fight for equal rights for all people. She has managed may campaigns for local and state elections and worked tirelessly to get the vote out.
Marilyn has been the recipient of many honors and awards over the years to include the Governor's Award for Excellence in 1984 by Governor Jim Hunt and most recently the Key to the City of Kinston by Mayor Don Hardy in 2018.
She was preceded in death by husband James "Jimmy" Cogdell, Jr. and daughter Paula Cogdell Melvin. She leaves a legacy of love to: her daughters, Marilyn Jimmette Graham (George), Renee Foley (Chris), Dorita Knox (Johnny); her granddaughters Marilynn Donnett Keys (Ed), Alicia Donntrice Hasan (Majid); Sisters-in-law, Jeanette Cogdell, Melve Johnson; Great Grandchildren, Trey and Caleb Hasan, Evan, Paula and Alyssa Keys and a host of other devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.