Marjorie C Raglin

Marjorie Christine Leigh-Raglin

September 8, 1942 – June 14, 2026

Some people simply exist. Marjorie Christine Leigh-Raglin lived.

Born on September 8, 1942, in Covington, Kentucky, to Ike and Sallie Kate Leigh, Marjorie was one of 14 children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings - Rosemary Hunter, Ella Mae Hydleberg, Bonnie Ruth Jackson, Rebecca Curry, Esther Rene Whyte, Joseph Emmanuel, Curtis Andrews, Oscar, Ned, Emily, Ozelma, and former husband Leroy Raglin.

She leaves behind a loving family who will continue her legacy: sisters Lucille Leigh-Cook and Gloria Leigh-Young, her children Rodney, Isaac, and Maxine; her grandchildren Rodney Jr., Courtney, Wesley, and Christine; her great-grandson Rodney III; along with countless relatives, friends, former colleagues, and fellow travelers whose lives were enriched by knowing her.

Marjorie believed that learning, growth, and service never had an expiration date. Her academic talents were initially identified and nurtured at Lincoln-Grant School a school that was attend by African American students that were prohibited from attending the whites-only schools in the county. Her passion for nursing began at Lincoln-Grant and extended to her career as a nurse's assistant at the University of Cincinnati Hospital, she continually challenged herself to reach new heights. Encouraged by mentors who recognized her gifts, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse and later a Registered Nurse, graduating with distinction from The Christ School of Nursing and building a career that spanned more than three decades. She served patients with skill, compassion, and quiet excellence in psychiatry, medical-surgical nursing, emergency medicine, and trauma care.

Yet nursing was only part of her story.

Marjorie loved life and fully intended to enjoy every minute of it.

She loved traveling, making memories, and finding new adventures, learning and studying Black History and she was an avid reader. Whether she was attending Broadway shows in New York, visiting museums in Chicago and Washington, D.C., cruising through Alaska and the Caribbean, exploring Mexico, riding trains across the country, or discovering hidden gems with her travel groups, she approached every journey with excitement and curiosity.

Her suitcases were often packed weeks before departure because she never wanted to miss an opportunity to see what was around the next corner.

She was also known for her luck at the casino. During annual trips to Las Vegas, she won several jackpots and proudly used her winnings to make improvements to her home. However, when gambling became available much closer to home, she wisely decided that perhaps it was a little too convenient and stepped away.

After relocating to Georgia, Marjorie continued nursing, worked at Grady Hospital, accepted travel assignments, and eventually retired a second time. Retirement, however, did not slow her down. At the Lou Walker Senior Center, she found a community of friends who shared her love of travel, fellowship, line dancing, swimming, laughter, and living life to the fullest.

Marjorie deeply loved her family. She followed the activities and accomplishments of her children and grandchildren with great interest and pride. Whether offering encouragement, advice, or simply showing up when it mattered most, she remained a steady and loving presence in their lives.

She also enjoyed attending the Peachtree Christian Health Adult Day Center, where she formed meaningful relationships with staff and fellow participants who brought joy and companionship to her later years.

Today we celebrate a woman who never stopped growing, never stopped learning, and never stopped living. We celebrate a nurse, a traveler, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a mentor, a friend, and a woman whose life demonstrated resilience, excellence, and joy.

While we grieve her physical absence, we take comfort in knowing that her influence remains woven into the fabric of our family. Her lessons, her stories, her laughter, and her example continue to guide us.

Marjorie lived well, loved deeply, traveled widely, and left this world better than she found it.

May we honor her by embracing life with the same courage, curiosity, generosity, and sense of adventure that she shared with all of us.

Well done, Marjorie. Travel well.

“Today we do not say goodbye. We celebrate Marjorie's transition from beloved elder to honored ancestor. Her spirit, wisdom, and love remain with us, and her legacy continues through the generations that follow." Ashanti-inspired Celebration of Life