Obituary of Mildred Leone Ewing

Mildred Leone Ewing was born in Des Moines Iowa on April 29 1926. She was one of 11 children born to Gilbert and Carrie Randle. We, her children, don't know much about her growing up years. We know she was quite stunning from pictures we've seen, that she was a member of a marching band in High school, that she was quite the baton twirler and that not many years after that, she married our father Curtis Calvin. We, her children, Michea Caye, Geoffrey Curt and Tod Marshall would soon follow. Our memories of our mom began sometime in the 1950's, in Excelsior Minnesota where the Mr. and Mrs. bought their first home. As the first black family in that area they were immediately made to feel unwelcome. The "good" neighbors formed a coalition to prevent them from purchasing the home, but Curt and Millie were determined and their lawyer, a personal friend, ran interference for them. Posing as the buyer, he bought the house, and then the switch. The "Negros" moved in! The "good" neighbors created such a furor that it was covered by the local news media. Mom and dad stayed. They were warriors, trailblazers. Faith, determination and conviction would be the hallmark of their lives together. In those early years, mom worked as a stenographer in the city of Minneapolis. She walked about a mile to the bus stop in the morning, rode the bus for an hour, worked 8 hours, and then reversed the journey back home. This was year round , which included those bitterly cold, snowy winters for which Minnesota, to this day, is still famous……. or infamous, depending on whether you prefer traveling by sled or by car. She also found the time to keep the house organized as well as being present at our respective schools whenever the parental participation was required. Her kindness, acceptance and loving support for her children as well as her non-judgmental out look just overflowed into whatever community she happened to reside in at the time. A powerful example of these qualities in action was the teen foster home Mom and Dad operated for a number of years. By this point Mom had retired. Consequently she bore the brunt of this 24/7 daily operation, which was no walk in the park. The majority of these kids were ruffians, con men, liars and thieves…..even stole from us….not to mention their oftentimes disrespectful attitude towards our parents. It was really quite remarkable how moms love for them was undiminished through it all. She was able to discern their goodness and communicate only with that, but that didn't mean "sugar coating" things. She could be quite blunt when necessary, but the majority of those boys ended up loving her dearly and stayed in touch for many years after the foster home was disbanded. Mom was always there for them. We could go on and on about Millie. She was extremely health conscious, before that was in vogue, keeping us abreast of the best combination of vitamins for our optimum health. She loved to play tennis. …and she loved to win! She loved to be with her kids and grandkids. She loved to garden outside and grow plants inside, and she loved a good laugh. If really amused, her laugh could fill a good sized sports arena. She also loved Engelbert and Elvis….although in the end, it was Elvis….by a wisp. But above all these loves, was her love for God, Baha'u'llah and the Baha'i Faith. For over 60 years, wherever her life led her, she shared her effusively radiant love for the Faith with whoever would lend her an ear. Her Baha'i "files" were legendary. Before computers there was Millie. If anyone ever needed to know ANYTHING about ANY aspect of the Baha'i Faith, mom was "the go to guy". If she didn't have the answer immediately, she took great pleasure in calling you back once she'd consulted her "files" and then thanked you for asking, because her research had given her the opportunity to review some aspect of the Baha'i writings she hadn't read in a while. Her Faith was her life. She walked the walk. The one thing that we, her children, will always remember most about our mom and dad is that somewhere, early in their lives, before we three came along, they decided it was of the utmost importance to be nice to people and to give all they met a fair shake, and they did so in the most remarkable, generous, and humble of fashions. We couldn't have asked for nicer parents. Now, as they reunite, may they rest in peace. Love, Michea, Geoffrey and Tod.