Mildred Overby

Mildred Rivers Overby passed away at the age of 103 on May 11, 2022. She lived a long and loving life as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, educator, mathematician, and friend to many.

She was born in Miami, Florida to Leona and Joseph Rivers, grocery store owners, and one of the few Black owned businesses in Florida. She and her siblings, Joseph, Helen, Maurice, Althea, and Doris grew up in a supportive community. In fact, one of the neighbors, was responsible for her attendance at West Virginia State College (WVSC).

During her years at WVSC, she majored in English and Mathematics and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also met her future husband James Overby, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, and a biology major there.

Mildred settled in Washington, DC with husband James, after receiving Magna Cum Laud graduation honors. She began as an English and Math teacher in Washington, DC, and Maryland. Her next career focus was as a mathematician. She was one of the “Hidden Figures” who performed mathematical calculations in the design of submarines for the United States Navy at the David Taylor Model Basin in Carderock, MD.

After 10 years of marriage, the Overby’s were blessed with the birth of their only child, Cordell. With Cordell, Mildred’s nieces, Sharon and Janis, and other close family members, they celebrated holidays and birthdays many times over the years.

Grandchildren soon became the center of Mildred’s life, after Cordell married Lynnette Young in 1975 and Collin (1977) and Casey (1982) were born. Upon retiring from her final position as a librarian at Howard University, Mildred and James provided childcare for the grandchildren and support to the new parents. She was a loving grandmother, often assisting with homework, preparing meals, and making costumes on occasion for Collin who was George Washington in a play, while Casey became a bunny rabbit on a memorable Halloween, thanks to their grand mommy. She also served as a loving aunt to niece Janis’ children, Jason, and Jared, as they grew up near her Washington, DC home playing many games of soccer. In later years, she beamed with pride at the accomplishments of her son Dr. Cordell Overby, currently Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Delaware and her grandchildren, Collin Overby, a Cybersecurity Attorney, practicing in Baltimore, and Dr. Casey Taylor, an Associate Professor of Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Mildred, a longtime member of Episcopal Church of our Savior, leaves a legacy of love and support to her son Cordell (Dr. Lynnette), her grandchildren, Collin, and Casey (Dr. Rodney) and great grandchildren, Myles and Maxwell. She is also survived by her niece, Janis, a retired DC Police Sergeant, who became her companion/friend and care giver in her later years. A host of family and friends honor her memory and are working every day to continue her legacy of kindness, love, and service.

Lovingly submitted by the family

There will be a viewing for Mildred on Tuesday, May 24th from 10-12PM at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home (11800 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20904). The funeral service will begin at 12PM and will be followed by the committal service at Maryland National Cemetery (13300 Baltimore Ave, Laurel, MD 20707).

The family has requested that those coming to pay respects, please wear a mask.