Merlean Edna Monger Lomax, age 91, was born on June 29, 1927, in Laurel, Mississippi, to the late Samuel Monger and Gertrude Edna Monger McDonald Ross; she was raised by her mother and the late Bill McDonald, Sr. Merlean Lomax transitioned home to be with the Lord on December 12, 2018.
She moved to Erie at a young age. As a child in Laurel, Mississippi, Merlean was taken into the fields by her maternal grandmother, Mary Clanton Lockett, to find healing herbs. Thus, young Merlean was apprenticed in the preparation and use of traditional, holistic remedies – a knowledge passed down from the Motherland and from her ancestors in the Blackfoot Nation.
Inspired by her mother's encouragement to "make your own job," Mrs. Lomax shared what she had learned in Mississippi by using and selling these healing products here in Erie. Whenever neighbors were ill, people would knock on "Mother Lomax's" door asking for advice. Her respected role led a young neighbor to ask for help during a home birth. Her service as a midwife that night made the baby her "special son"- Mr. Lee Barney.
Merlean earned her beautician's license from the OIC (Erie Opportunity Industrialization Center), where she was recruited to serve on the board. Her beauty salon on Buffalo Road was well-known in the community. Mrs. Lomax was a House Mother for the Upward Bound Program, a Bus Aid for the Erie School District, and an Assistant Teacher at Good Samaritan Church Daycare at West 11th Street, under the leadership of Pastor E. Franklin Smith (a community advocate who was instrumental in the migration of many blacks from Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama to Erie.)
Beyond working, running her businesses and raising 14 children, including two sets of twins, Mrs. Lomax was a member of the Twin Mothers Club, the La Leche League, and volunteered for the Erie March of Dimes. She also served on the Erie Housing Authority Block Watch under the leadership of the late John Horan. Neighborhood children in need of a snack would knock on "Mother Lomax's" door and always received a treat.
Mrs. Lomax had a strong faith in God that she instilled in her children. She was an active member of the Church of God on West 11th Street, until the church and dozens of homes in the historic black neighborhood were razed to create a parking lot. She continued with Church of God to its new location at 3rd and Cherry. Subsequently, she was a member of the Interfaith Worship Center on West 11th under the leadership of Pastor Gene Kenneth. At the time of her death, Mrs. Lomax was a member of Bethel Apostolic Church on East 16th Street, led by Pastor John Crosby.
Mrs. Lomax was married for 69 years to Joe Lomax, Sr., the love of her life. Her husband died in 2016. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two children, Janet Lomax Alecia and Anthony Lomax, Sr.; and her siblings, Mary Jane Lee, Barbara McDonald and Otis McDonald.
She is survived by her children, Patricia Lomax Jackson of Georgia, Elizabeth Owsley of Cleveland, Ohio, Linda Lomax Marlow and Karen Lomax of Pittsburgh, Pa., Cynthia Glover Muhammad, Joann Lomax Charity (Timothy), Phyllis Lomax Vincent, Janice Lomax Ponder, Joe Lomax, Jr., Shirley Lomax Jones, Eric Lomax, Sr. (Alliea), and Keith Lomax; two sisters, Catherine Perry and Dorothy Eli of Cleveland; three brothers, Robert McDonald, Bill McDonald, Jr. and Fields McDonald, Sr.; 53 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; more than a dozen great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mother lived a rich life loving her family and community.
Friends may visit with the family at Second Baptist Church, 757 E. 26th Street, on Saturday, December 22, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., where a home going celebration will immediately follow, with Pastor John Crosby eulogizing and Reverend Lamont Higginbottom Sr. officiating. Interment will be at Erie County Memorial Gardens. Professional services are entrusted to Pitts Funeral Home, 2926 Pine Avenue, Erie, PA 16504. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Erie NAACP, c/o President Gary Horton, E.F. Smith Quality of Life Center, 2046 East 19th St. Erie, PA 16510.
She moved to Erie at a young age. As a child in Laurel, Mississippi, Merlean was taken into the fields by her maternal grandmother, Mary Clanton Lockett, to find healing herbs. Thus, young Merlean was apprenticed in the preparation and use of traditional, holistic remedies – a knowledge passed down from the Motherland and from her ancestors in the Blackfoot Nation.
Inspired by her mother's encouragement to "make your own job," Mrs. Lomax shared what she had learned in Mississippi by using and selling these healing products here in Erie. Whenever neighbors were ill, people would knock on "Mother Lomax's" door asking for advice. Her respected role led a young neighbor to ask for help during a home birth. Her service as a midwife that night made the baby her "special son"- Mr. Lee Barney.
Merlean earned her beautician's license from the OIC (Erie Opportunity Industrialization Center), where she was recruited to serve on the board. Her beauty salon on Buffalo Road was well-known in the community. Mrs. Lomax was a House Mother for the Upward Bound Program, a Bus Aid for the Erie School District, and an Assistant Teacher at Good Samaritan Church Daycare at West 11th Street, under the leadership of Pastor E. Franklin Smith (a community advocate who was instrumental in the migration of many blacks from Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama to Erie.)
Beyond working, running her businesses and raising 14 children, including two sets of twins, Mrs. Lomax was a member of the Twin Mothers Club, the La Leche League, and volunteered for the Erie March of Dimes. She also served on the Erie Housing Authority Block Watch under the leadership of the late John Horan. Neighborhood children in need of a snack would knock on "Mother Lomax's" door and always received a treat.
Mrs. Lomax had a strong faith in God that she instilled in her children. She was an active member of the Church of God on West 11th Street, until the church and dozens of homes in the historic black neighborhood were razed to create a parking lot. She continued with Church of God to its new location at 3rd and Cherry. Subsequently, she was a member of the Interfaith Worship Center on West 11th under the leadership of Pastor Gene Kenneth. At the time of her death, Mrs. Lomax was a member of Bethel Apostolic Church on East 16th Street, led by Pastor John Crosby.
Mrs. Lomax was married for 69 years to Joe Lomax, Sr., the love of her life. Her husband died in 2016. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two children, Janet Lomax Alecia and Anthony Lomax, Sr.; and her siblings, Mary Jane Lee, Barbara McDonald and Otis McDonald.
She is survived by her children, Patricia Lomax Jackson of Georgia, Elizabeth Owsley of Cleveland, Ohio, Linda Lomax Marlow and Karen Lomax of Pittsburgh, Pa., Cynthia Glover Muhammad, Joann Lomax Charity (Timothy), Phyllis Lomax Vincent, Janice Lomax Ponder, Joe Lomax, Jr., Shirley Lomax Jones, Eric Lomax, Sr. (Alliea), and Keith Lomax; two sisters, Catherine Perry and Dorothy Eli of Cleveland; three brothers, Robert McDonald, Bill McDonald, Jr. and Fields McDonald, Sr.; 53 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; more than a dozen great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mother lived a rich life loving her family and community.
Friends may visit with the family at Second Baptist Church, 757 E. 26th Street, on Saturday, December 22, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., where a home going celebration will immediately follow, with Pastor John Crosby eulogizing and Reverend Lamont Higginbottom Sr. officiating. Interment will be at Erie County Memorial Gardens. Professional services are entrusted to Pitts Funeral Home, 2926 Pine Avenue, Erie, PA 16504. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Erie NAACP, c/o President Gary Horton, E.F. Smith Quality of Life Center, 2046 East 19th St. Erie, PA 16510.
Merlean Edna Monger Lomax, age 91, was born on June 29, 1927, in Laurel, Mississippi, to the late Samuel Monger and Gertrude Edna Monger McDonald Ross; she was raised by her mother and the late Bill McDonald, Sr. Merlean Lomax transitioned home to be with the Lord on December 12, 2018.
She moved to Erie at a young age. As a child in Laurel, Mississippi, Merlean was taken into the fields by her maternal grandmother, Mary Clanton Lockett, to find healing herbs. Thus, young Merlean was apprenticed in the preparation and use of traditional, holistic remedies – a knowledge passed down from the Motherland and from her ancestors in the Blackfoot Nation.
Inspired by her mother's encouragement to "make your own job," Mrs. Lomax shared what she had learned in Mississippi by using and selling these healing products here in Erie. Whenever neighbors were ill, people would knock on "Mother Lomax's" door asking for advice. Her respected role led a young neighbor to ask for help during a home birth. Her service as a midwife that night made the baby her "special son"- Mr. Lee Barney.
Merlean earned her beautician's license from the OIC (Erie Opportunity Industrialization Center), where she was recruited to serve on the board. Her beauty salon on Buffalo Road was well-known in the community. Mrs. Lomax was a House Mother for the Upward Bound Program, a Bus Aid for the Erie School District, and an Assistant Teacher at Good Samaritan Church Daycare at West 11th Street, under the leadership of Pastor E. Franklin Smith (a community advocate who was instrumental in the migration of many blacks from Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama to Erie.)
Beyond working, running her businesses and raising 14 children, including two sets of twins, Mrs. Lomax was a member of the Twin Mothers Club, the La Leche League, and volunteered for the Erie March of Dimes. She also served on the Erie Housing Authority Block Watch under the leadership of the late John Horan. Neighborhood children in need of a snack would knock on "Mother Lomax's" door and always received a treat.
Mrs. Lomax had a strong faith in God that she instilled in her children. She was an active member of the Church of God on West 11th Street, until the church and dozens of homes in the historic black neighborhood were razed to create a parking lot. She continued with Church of God to its new location at 3rd and Cherry. Subsequently, she was a member of the Interfaith Worship Center on West 11th under the leadership of Pastor Gene Kenneth. At the time of her death, Mrs. Lomax was a member of Bethel Apostolic Church on East 16th Street, led by Pastor John Crosby.
Mrs. Lomax was married for 69 years to Joe Lomax, Sr., the love of her life. Her husband died in 2016. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two children, Janet Lomax Alecia and Anthony Lomax, Sr.; and her siblings, Mary Jane Lee, Barbara McDonald and Otis McDonald.
She is survived by her children, Patricia Lomax Jackson of Georgia, Elizabeth Owsley of Cleveland, Ohio, Linda Lomax Marlow and Karen Lomax of Pittsburgh, Pa., Cynthia Glover Muhammad, Joann Lomax Charity (Timothy), Phyllis Lomax Vincent, Janice Lomax Ponder, Joe Lomax, Jr., Shirley Lomax Jones, Eric Lomax, Sr. (Alliea), and Keith Lomax; two sisters, Catherine Perry and Dorothy Eli of Cleveland; three brothers, Robert McDonald, Bill McDonald, Jr. and Fields McDonald, Sr.; 53 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; more than a dozen great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mother lived a rich life loving her family and community.
Friends may visit with the family at Second Baptist Church, 757 E. 26th Street, on Saturday, December 22, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., where a home going celebration will immediately follow, with Pastor John Crosby eulogizing and Reverend Lamont Higginbottom Sr. officiating. Interment will be at Erie County Memorial Gardens. Professional services are entrusted to Pitts Funeral Home, 2926 Pine Avenue, Erie, PA 16504. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Erie NAACP, c/o President Gary Horton, E.F. Smith Quality of Life Center, 2046 East 19th St. Erie, PA 16510.
She moved to Erie at a young age. As a child in Laurel, Mississippi, Merlean was taken into the fields by her maternal grandmother, Mary Clanton Lockett, to find healing herbs. Thus, young Merlean was apprenticed in the preparation and use of traditional, holistic remedies – a knowledge passed down from the Motherland and from her ancestors in the Blackfoot Nation.
Inspired by her mother's encouragement to "make your own job," Mrs. Lomax shared what she had learned in Mississippi by using and selling these healing products here in Erie. Whenever neighbors were ill, people would knock on "Mother Lomax's" door asking for advice. Her respected role led a young neighbor to ask for help during a home birth. Her service as a midwife that night made the baby her "special son"- Mr. Lee Barney.
Merlean earned her beautician's license from the OIC (Erie Opportunity Industrialization Center), where she was recruited to serve on the board. Her beauty salon on Buffalo Road was well-known in the community. Mrs. Lomax was a House Mother for the Upward Bound Program, a Bus Aid for the Erie School District, and an Assistant Teacher at Good Samaritan Church Daycare at West 11th Street, under the leadership of Pastor E. Franklin Smith (a community advocate who was instrumental in the migration of many blacks from Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama to Erie.)
Beyond working, running her businesses and raising 14 children, including two sets of twins, Mrs. Lomax was a member of the Twin Mothers Club, the La Leche League, and volunteered for the Erie March of Dimes. She also served on the Erie Housing Authority Block Watch under the leadership of the late John Horan. Neighborhood children in need of a snack would knock on "Mother Lomax's" door and always received a treat.
Mrs. Lomax had a strong faith in God that she instilled in her children. She was an active member of the Church of God on West 11th Street, until the church and dozens of homes in the historic black neighborhood were razed to create a parking lot. She continued with Church of God to its new location at 3rd and Cherry. Subsequently, she was a member of the Interfaith Worship Center on West 11th under the leadership of Pastor Gene Kenneth. At the time of her death, Mrs. Lomax was a member of Bethel Apostolic Church on East 16th Street, led by Pastor John Crosby.
Mrs. Lomax was married for 69 years to Joe Lomax, Sr., the love of her life. Her husband died in 2016. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two children, Janet Lomax Alecia and Anthony Lomax, Sr.; and her siblings, Mary Jane Lee, Barbara McDonald and Otis McDonald.
She is survived by her children, Patricia Lomax Jackson of Georgia, Elizabeth Owsley of Cleveland, Ohio, Linda Lomax Marlow and Karen Lomax of Pittsburgh, Pa., Cynthia Glover Muhammad, Joann Lomax Charity (Timothy), Phyllis Lomax Vincent, Janice Lomax Ponder, Joe Lomax, Jr., Shirley Lomax Jones, Eric Lomax, Sr. (Alliea), and Keith Lomax; two sisters, Catherine Perry and Dorothy Eli of Cleveland; three brothers, Robert McDonald, Bill McDonald, Jr. and Fields McDonald, Sr.; 53 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; more than a dozen great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mother lived a rich life loving her family and community.
Friends may visit with the family at Second Baptist Church, 757 E. 26th Street, on Saturday, December 22, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., where a home going celebration will immediately follow, with Pastor John Crosby eulogizing and Reverend Lamont Higginbottom Sr. officiating. Interment will be at Erie County Memorial Gardens. Professional services are entrusted to Pitts Funeral Home, 2926 Pine Avenue, Erie, PA 16504. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Erie NAACP, c/o President Gary Horton, E.F. Smith Quality of Life Center, 2046 East 19th St. Erie, PA 16510.
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