Ollie N. Trotter

Ollie Beatrice Newell Trotter was born on April 16, 1924 in Heidelberg, Mississippi to the late Doss Ellis and Serlessie Newell and departed this life on Monday, July 14, 2014, peacefully at her daughter's home in Milford, Kansas.

She graduated from Oak Park High School, Laurel, MS in 1944. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS in 1948 and later earned her Teaching Certification at Wayne State University, Detroit Michigan. She was an elementary teacher in the Detroit Public Schools for 25 years, where she taught first, and third graders. After her retirement she stayed active for many years with the Michigan Retired Teachers Association. She received her Golden Diploma from Tougaloo College during the 1998, Commencement Ceremony. She was an active and loyal member of the Tougaloo College Alumni Associations-Detroit Chapter.

Additionally, she was an avid canner and was known for her jellies, jams, preserves, and "chow-chow". Annually, she entered her canning for competition at Michigan State Fair winning a myriad of first place ribbons and medals. She loved gardening, rug hooking and embroidering.

She was united in holy matrimony to Benjamin Trotter, Sr. of Paulding, MS and they shared 48 years of marriage until his death January 9, 2003. From this union, they were blessed with two children: Benjamin Doss Trotter and Lucinda Trotter Shepherd.

She confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and attended service regularly at Pleasant Valley Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Heidelberg, MS. After moving to Detroit, she joined with her husband, at New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in 1968, under the leadership of the late Reverend John J. Tillman. She spent many selfless years serving the Lord and her church community. She was very active with the District and Wolverine State Deacons Wives and Deaconess Board. She worked in the Christian Education department as a dedicated Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher; she was a part of the Beatification Ministry and Missionary Society; and President and active member of the Deaconess Ministry. Sister Trotter was known to do whatever was asked or needed. After relocating to Milford, KS, with her daughter, she worshipped with Fellowship Temple Church of God in Christ, Manhattan KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Doss Ellis Newell and Serlessie Henry Newell; her paternal grandparents, Jimmy Newell and Lucinda Newell; her maternal grandparents, Monday Henry and Ollie Henry; her husband, Benjamin Trotter; her two brothers, Couzone Newell and Jerome Newell; three sisters; Dessie Ree Newell Spaulding, Mable Ruth Newell Thompson and Marjorie Elouise Newell Thomas.

Lastly, she leaves to cherish her memory; one son, Benjamin Doss (Renona) Trotter, Colonel, USAF (ret), O'Fallon, IL; and Lucinda (Samuel) Shepherd, Milford, KS. She was a beloved grandmother to Benjamin Doss Trotter, II and Jarvis Newell Trotter; Vincent (Tonya) Shepherd, Selena Shepherd, Andre' (Sarah) Shepherd, and great grandmother to Camille Shepherd and Nathan Shepherd; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and devoted friends.