Editor's Note:  The 1932 OHS roster or year book confirming actual graduates has not been located at the time of this writing.  With this said, the Lansing State Journal 2007 obituary for one Marie Jeanette (Simmons) Cromwell and her alleged 1932 OHS graduation was assumed to be correct.  Upon research of the deceased, questions began arising as to the accuracy of the obituary. 

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Wednesday 22 August 2007

MARIE JEANETTE CROMWELL

Age 94, was born in Chicago, IL on July 30, 1913 to William and Mary Simmons.  She moved to Lansing in 1930 and graduated from Okemos High School in 1932.  She was the wife of the late Randolph Cromwell, Sr., for fifty Years.  She was preceded in death by her son, Randolph Cromwell. Jr., brother-in-law, Carlyle (Mildred) Cromwell and sister-in-law, Marion Howell.  She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Thaddeus D. (Melinda) Cromwell; sister, Regina Booker and family; niece, Jessie (Frank) Fallon and family; faithful friend, Nancy Haddad; and other relatives and friends.  Friends may visit Mrs. Cromwell Thursday, August 29, 12-9 p.m. a the Riley Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held Friday, August 24, 10 a.m. at the Riley funeral Home, 426 W. St. Joseph St.

Marie Jeanette Simmons, daughter of William and Mary Simmons, was born 30 July 1913, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (1, 3).  According to her obituary she moved into the Lansing area in 1930.

Marie's mother's life seems shrouded.  According to Mary's Lansing State Journal 1979 obituary, Marie was her only child.  Social Security Death Index listed Mary's birth date as 2 December 1895.  Michigan Death Index 1971-1996 recorded her birth date as 2 December 1901.  "Mary Ewing" was listed as age 86 in her obituary.  Doing quick calculation, Mary was a teenager when Marie was born.  Mary used the known surnames of Stevenson, Simmons, White and Ewing (2, 4, 6)

An Ingham County, Michigan Marriage Certificate, dated 4 January 1930, listed a Marie "Jackson" marrying a LeRoy Seaton, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  This Marie, with no parents named, was 17 (born about 1913) years of age, born Chicago and employed as a seamstress (4).  Social Security Application and Claims Index records Marie Jeanette Simmons, born 30 July 1913, Chicago, using surnames Tyler, Seaton and Cromwell (1).  LeRoy and Marie Seaton are recorded in Lansing City directories in the 1930's as husband and wife.  In the 1946 Lansing City directory, a Mrs. Marie J. Seaton was located living on Sycamore Street, Lansing. On 6 January 1948, Lansing, Marie Jeanette Seaton wed Randolph Joseph Cromwell (3).

Randolph, born 24 December 1900, Canada, was a World War II Army veteran, having served in India (6-obituary).  He married Marion Brown 21 April 1923, Lansing (4).  She was noted several time in the Lansing State Journal during the 1940's as a pianist and vocalist at NAACP functions (6). Randolph and Marie wed in 1948 (4).  Randolph retired from Federal Drop Forge, Lansing, in 1967.  Randolph had a son with Marion, Thaddeus.  He and Marie also had a son, Randolph Jr.

Thaddeus graduated from Sexton High School and moved to Miami, Florida (6).

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 4 June 1998

Thaddeus Cromwell teed into an important project at the University of Miami.

A few weeks ago, the former Lansing resident was recognized by his alma mater for his dedicated efforts.

Thadd received a special alumni volunteer award for outstanding service from the University of Miami Alumni Association.

Thadd has volunteered with the Doral Ryder Open for 18 years at the university.  Then he helped with the School of Business Administration develop a successful School of Business Golf tournament, which is in its fourth year.

This year, Thadd put together the first golf classic at the university to raise money for minority student scholarships.

The alumni award was presented to Thadd by a man who carried his name as well;  the president of the university, Edward Thaddeus Foote III.

Thad has been a member of the alumni board since 1994 and is an active member of the Black Alumni Society.

He and his wife, Malinda, have two children: Christopher and Eliabeth.

Thadd is a 1961 Sexton High School graduate.

His family also includes his mother, Marie Cromwell of Lansing and his aunt, Regina Booker of Williamston.

PICTURE BELOW: MARIE CROMWELL ON RIGHT; MARY EWING, MARIE'S MOTHER, ON LEFT

Randolph died 10 August 1969.  He was interred Evergreen Cemetery, Lansing (5).  Marie died 38 years later on 20 August 2007.  She was interred next to Randolph (5).

Question:  Did Marie Jeanette Simmons Cromwell actually graduate in 1932 from Okemos High School?  Marie was married in 1930 and her address in the 1932 Lansing City Directory was 130 Westmorland Avenue, Lansing. Were married woman allowed to attend public high school in the early 1930's?  Also note Marie's obituary states she was married 50 years to Randolph.  Again doing calculations, the marriage lasted 1948-1969, his death.  How accurate was this obituary?

References:

1. Social Security Application and Claims Index 1936-2007

2. Social Security Death Index

3. Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificate Index 1871-1922

Marie's father was listed on her Illinois birth certificate as William J. H. Simmons and her mother as Jennie Binger.   Marie listed her mother as Mary Stevenson on her social security application.

4. Michigan, Marriage Records 1867-1952

5. Findagrave.com

6. Lansing State Journal