Mrs. Marjorie Ellen Bosley, mother of former Mayor Freeman R. Bosley. Jr., has passed away. Funeral services will take place on Monday, January 5th, at the Samaritan United Methodist Church, 4234 Washington Avenue. There will be a 10:00 a.m. visitation, and the funeral will be officiated by the Reverend Ronald Graham at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Dr. Nora Jones is pastor of Samaritan United Methodist Church. Interment will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery at 7800 St. Charles Rock Road.

Her obituary:

Mrs. Marjorie Ellen Bosley was born to the union of Melvin and Minnie Robertson on July 7, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri. Marjorie attended Simmons Elementary School and graduated from Sumner High School in 1952. After high school graduation she attended Stowe Teachers College.

In 1953, Ms. Robertson married Freeman Bosley, Sr. and to this union two children were born, Freeman Jr. and Pamela Marge. Mrs. Bosley accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in 1946 at Antioch Baptist Church. She later became a member of Good Samaritan Church (Samaritan United Methodist Church). In 1993, her son, Freeman, Jr. was elected the first African-American, St. Louis City Mayor.

Mrs. Bosley was employed with the United States Government. In 1990, she retired from the federal government after many years of faithful service. Immediately prior to her illness, she was employed at the Missouri Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Mrs. Bosley loved the Lindell Park neighborhood where she served as its block captain and secretary for many years. She was a quiet leader in her community. As the mother of the first African American Mayor of the City of St. Louis, Mrs. Bosley never met a stranger. She was strong yet affable, warm and compassionate.

Mrs. Bosley’s two favorite past times were shopping at thrift and antique stores for collectibles and international travel. World travel, in her words, was her “therapy.” Her travels took her to Germany, Egypt, China, Paris, Greece, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cancun, Italy, London, Rome and Morocco to name just a few places. Indeed, Marge loved to travel.

Mrs. Bosley also had a gift for the arts. She loved to decorate and to design beautiful things. Her gifts were exhibited throughout her home and in the community as evident by the design of her block’s brick and wrought iron cul-de-sac.

Preceded in death by her parents, Mrs. “Marge” Bosley departed this life Wednesday December 31, 2008. She transitioned peacefully at home surrounded by many family members and friends.

Mrs. Bosley leaves to cherish her precious and loving memory: her husband Freeman Bosley, Sr.; her beloved children Freeman, Jr. and Pamela; one Sister Gloria Reeves; one son-in-law Stephen Byes; Darlynn (Lynne); two very special grandchildren Stephen Bosley Byes II and Sydney Bosley; two great grandchildren Stephen Bosley Byes III and Justice Byes; two very special friends and neighbors Mattie Johnson and Hattie Howard; as well as a host of in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service for Mrs. Marjorie Ellen Bosley will take place on Monday, January 5, 2009, at the Samaritan United Methodist Church, 4234 Washington Avenue. There will be a 10:00 a.m. visitation, and the funeral will be officiated by the Reverend Ronald Graham at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Dr. Nora Jones is pastor of Samaritan United Methodist Church. Interment will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery at 7800 St. Charles Rock Road.