A cold winter's storm engulfed the town of Temple, Texas, on January 30, 1949, marking one of its coldest days in history at -1°F. Yet, on this bitter day, Marion Gentrice entered the earthly world as the ninth of twelve children to Reverend Raphael Marvin and Odessa Bernice White. She was the fifth of six daughters welcomed into this loving family.

Marion Gentrice attended Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School and Dunbar Jr.-Sr. High School, later transferring to Temple High School as one of the first African-American students in the wake of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Graduating in 1967, her courage and determination opened doors for future African-American students, though it came at a great personal sacrifice. An exceptional singer, she was a member of the renowned Harry T. Burleigh A Capella Choir and the Madrigal Singers at Dunbar, under Mr. Darrel G. Dedmon. Marion Gentrice also participated in various high school programs at Prairie View College, and during summers, she learned computer programming while employed at Ft. Hood (now Ft. Cavazos).

After high school, Marion Gentrice worked in Dallas, Texas, later returning to Temple to work at Ft. Cavazos and attend Temple Junior College. It was here she met Joseph Lee Wicks, whom she married in 1970 before moving to his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Together, they had three children: a daughter, Jonice, and two sons, Joseph and Jacques.

In Pittsburgh, Marion Gentrice co-owned and operated Wicks' Superette, a beloved neighborhood store. She cherished providing fresh produce to her community, where she developed lifelong friendships. She also earned an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences at Allegheny Community College. Despite her resilience, Marion Gentrice faced an unimaginable loss with the passing of her two sons in a house fire in 1985.

Following this tragedy, Marion Gentrice and her daughter moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she found new community, work, and church affiliations. She worked at the Cincinnati Enquirer and with The Neediest Kids of All nonprofit, earning recognition for her community involvement. Her professional journey continued at University of Cincinnati Health Hospital, where she remained until retirement while also earning a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies from Beckfield College in Kentucky. Marion Gentrice's religious and cultural activities were woven deeply into her life, rooted in her early years with Zion Temple Church of God in Christ and extending to her involvement with Bidwell Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh and Christ Emmanuel Fellowship Church in Cincinnati.

Marion Gentrice was known for her love of "rough-it" picnics, cookouts on the river, and the joys of family gatherings. She delighted in decorating for the holidays, sharing hors d'oeuvres with her brother-in-law Willie Joe Steward, and "clowning around" with loved ones. She was creative, stylish, and dedicated to her family. Nonna—beloved by her grandchildren, and G'Nonna by her great-grandchildren—was always the family's rock. Gardening was her passion, and she had a talent for cooking. She enjoyed singing, long walks, and even scary movies (though she would cover her eyes at the frightening parts). Her love extended to storytelling, sharing memories with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Marion Gentrice was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Raphael Marvin White and Odessa Bernice Clark White; her siblings Lea White-Wells, Blanche Mae Helena White-Smith, Gwendolyn Idene White-Steward, James Raphael Marvin White, Lorenzo Joel White, Carole Barbara Joan White-Risby, and Charles Kermit White; and her sons, Joseph Lee Wicks Jr. and Jacques Lorenz Wicks.

She leaves behind her daughter, Jonice La'Vette Wicks; grandchildren Perry JoHann Crawley, Candace JoVonne Crawley, and Jordan Sa'Ran Crawley; and great-grandchildren Rose Yemaya Crawley, Ja'Mauri Cartier Warren, and Ace Akil Crawley. Also mourning her passing are her many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her namesake, aunt, and matriarch of the Clark family, Marian Beulah Clark-Allen. She is remembered lovingly by her surviving siblings, Lezely Wayne White, Harold Clark Mitchelle White, Dr. Nina Doris White, and Kenneth Hewdell White.

Marion Gentrice – You came in a storm, and now you have left us at peace.

The Memorial service will begin at 10:00 am. on  Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship, 2324 May Street, Cincinnati  (45206).

To share a memory of Marion or leave a special message for the  Wicks family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Wicks family during this difficult time.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.