Marjorie E. Golphin

Edwards Small Mortuary announces with our deepest sympathies the passing of Mrs. Marjorie E. Golphin on June 4, 2025. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends.

Marjorie E. Golphin was born in Comer, Georgia, the daughter of Earnest and Jessie Mae Arnold. She was the only child born to this union. She did, however, have four older half-brothers and sisters: Roosevelt, Vonilas, Catherine, and Lurene.

After graduating from Comer High School in 1958, she enrolled in Fort Valley State College (now University), where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education in 1962 and a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1977.

Marjorie was married to Jewel Golphin. They are the parents of La Tanya, Derrick, and Ryan.

She taught school for two years. In the late 1960s, she became the first African American to join the secretarial staff at Blue Bird Body Company. She was subsequently employed as an administrative assistant at Fort Valley State College (now University) from which she retired after twenty-nine years of service.

As a retiree, she remained active as an avid gardener, a loyal participant in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Pi Omega Chapter of Fort Valley, the National Council of Negro Women, the Retired Educators Association, the NAACP, and the Fort Valley State University Business Alumni Association.

She was a supportive and active member of Central Union Missionary Baptist Church, where she enjoyed singing in several choirs, attending Bible Study and Sunday School, serving on committees, and lending technical assistance to various ministries until her health began to decline.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Roosevelt Arnold (Former Fort Valley Utility Commissioner), and sisters: Catherine Moon and Annie Lurine Davenport, who are laid to rest in the Holy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Comer, GA.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories to her husband of 68 years, Jewel Golphin; her children LaTanya Walker, Derrick Golphin (Lisa), Ryan Golphin, Robert Little (Priscilla), and Michaela Battle; a devoted cousin who she endeared as a brother, Melvin Moon (Thelma); a loving sister-in-law, Grace Perkins and a brother-in-law, Ernest Golphin; her treasured grandchildren: Jessica, Brandon, Ashley, Kayla, Kyra, Madison, Morgan, Brittney, Da’Mario and Tyler; great-granddaughter, Chloe. Her memories are also shared with a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members, along with a host of sorrowing friends.