Mary Oliver Mickens

Mary O. Mickens, of Pensacola, Florida passed away October 27, 2018 in Pensacola, Florida. Mary was 85 years old. A resident of Pensacola, FL for over 28 years, Mary was born in Richmond, Indiana on October 24, 1933 to Lillie Geraldine Longuemare Oliver and Sumner Oliver Sr. Her mother later remarried Joseph O'Brien, whom raised Mary from a young girl. Lillie instilled in her daughter the value of family and spirituality. Mary was baptized at Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond, Indiana by the late Reverend F.W. Weathers, where she was a Choir member and Sunday school teacher. Mary graduated from Richmond High School in 1952. She left home for college at Elkhart Medical School in Elkhart Indiana where she graduated as a Dental Nurse. Mary later moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she met her late husband Edward Mickens. Edward and Mary were married for 35 years and had two children Daryl E. Mickens and Donita D. Mickens (Edwards-Jones). In early years, Mary worked in the Dental field for a short time and then joined the Bell System Western Electric Plant which later became part of AT&T. She worked there for over 31 years retiring from AT&T in 1985. While she was employed by the Bell System Plant she was the first African American on the Board of Directors for Western Electric and the first African American on the Board of Directors for the Telephone Pioneers of America. Mary always excelled at whatever she put her mind to adding public speaking with the Bureau of Speakers to her many accomplishments while employed with Western Electric. After retirement, Mary moved to Pensacola, Florida to enjoy the beautiful beaches but went back to school to finish her Nursing/Medical Assistant certifications in which she cared for so many people and positively impacted so many lives. Everyone she came in contact boasted about her extraordinary personality and love to talk to people. Her love for the Lord was unsurpassed, as she attended Zion Hope Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL where Dr. Bernard Yates was her Pastor for about 28 years and was recognized as not only one of the Mothers of the church but for her love of beautiful hats. She attended faithfully every Sunday until her health would not allow her to continue, but watched services from the comfort of her home. Mary is survived by her two loving children son Daryl E. Mickens and daughter-in-law Chris Mickens of Fishers, Indiana and daughter Donita Mickens(Edwards-Jones) and son-in-law Edward Sam Jones of Pensacola, Florida; Grand-daughters Cheala Edwards of Pensacola, Florida, Nikeita Smith of Indianapolis, Indiana; Grandson Ron Smith Jr. (Pascia) of Nashville Tennessee; Jackson Jones, of Atlanta, Georgia Two Great-Grandsons Tyce Smith and Kinston Smith of Nashville Tennessee; Sister Barbara Purcell of Indianapolis, Indiana; Brothers, John O'Brien of Murrieta, California and Harry O'Brien of Douglasville, Georgia. Mary is preceded in death by her brothers, Sumner Oliver Jr., Joseph O'Brien and Fredrick O'Brien. Mary leaves to cherish many nieces and nephews and many friends in Indianapolis and Pensacola. Mary never met a stranger. Visitation will be held from 11:00am-12:00pm with a Celebration of Life to follow on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Crown Hill Funeral Home 700 W. 38th St. Indianapolis. May God richly bless and keep each of you and thank you so to all whom have expressed sympathy with us during our time of bereavement. The Family.