Priscilla Romine Turner

Priscilla Mae Romine began her life journey on April 19, 1932.  She was the third of five children born to the late Ervin Romine, Sr. and Gracie Draper Romine, and was lovingly called “Redhead” by her family.  Priscilla learned the meaning of responsibility at an early age.  As the children of a black farm owner in the early 1900’s, she and her siblings were required to work alongside their father, especially during the harvest season.  Rising early to help on the farm and then traveling into the city for school to return home to work some more.  Priscilla’s level of responsibility increased exponentially with the untimely death of her mother when she was 8 years old as she had to step into the role of  “mother” and primary caregiver for her younger brothers, Ervin, Jr. (5) and Norris (8 months).  A role for which she had not been groomed, but approached with trademark determination and sense of purpose.  The love and sibling bond that formed from their unique childhood would only strengthen with the passage of time.   

Priscilla loved learning!  She graduated from Morgan County Training School in Hartselle, AL  and then attended Alabama A & M, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and was a member of the Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society.  Priscilla later obtained a degree in Home Economics and Social Science from Case Western Reserve University  and subsequently went on to obtain a double Master’s degree in Library Science and Education & Media from Kent State University.  An avid lifelong learner she continued to hone her mind by participating in multiple academic and biblical trainings for as long as her health would allow.

Priscilla began her career as an educator at Lakeside High School in Decatur, AL where she worked as a home economics teacher for six years and then transitioned to the position of librarian.  She  relocated  to Cleveland, OH with her daughter, Lanese in 1966.  Priscilla continued her career as a librarian by joining the Cleveland Board of Education working in many schools over the duration of her 23 year career.  The last 16 years she worked at Whitney M. Young Junior High School where she positively impacted the lives of many of her students and established lifelong friendships with her fellow educators.  In the fall of 1979, the Cleveland Teachers Union went on a strike that lasted 11 weeks. Priscilla quickly realized that as a single mother, she would need to secure additional  income, so she applied at the Shaker Heights Public Library (SHPL) and was hired the very same day. Her part-time work with the  SHPL blossomed into a 25 year relationship.  She retired in 2004.

Priscilla was an active member of Patton Memorial CME Church.  She was a member of the Stewardess Board and served as the financial secretary for some of the church’s fundraising   projects. She was also an  member of the Mother’s Board at Christ of Calvary Covenant Church Ministries International in Philadelphia, PA.

Priscilla, a knowledgeable sports fan, enjoyed watching football, basketball and baseball games and loved to talk stats and history with the menfolk.  Her personal sport of choice was bowling.  She was an active member of the National Traveling Bowling League for many years and proudly displayed her many trophies and awards in her home.

Priscilla leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Lanese (Rodney) Rogers; grandchildren, Morgan (Marquise) Rogers-Burns, Joshua Rogers, Nicole Rogers and Simone Rogers; great-granddaughter, Bellamy Burns; nephews Marcus Romine and Chad (Ternesha) Romine, Warren (Amber) Romine, Shannon Romine, nieces Karen Romine, Sharon Romine and Reva Romine; dear friend, Martita Johnson; a host of additional relatives and friends, as well as thousands of students whose lives she touched during the course of her 40+ year career.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin, Sr. & Gracie Romine; her siblings Charles Romine, Levern Romine, Zobell Romine, Ervin Romine, Jr.,  Norris Romine and Robert Romine, and sister-in-love Ida Young Romine.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Priscilla Romine Turner, please visit our floral store.