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Woman, 100, recalls segregated Lebanon

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 10:35 AM Thursday, November 5, 2009

Marie Singleton sat with her great-granddaughter in January to witness an event few thought possible when she was born 100 years ago — the inauguration of this country’s first black president.

Singleton however, in her typical deadpan style, was unfazed by the momentous occasion.

“We’re all God’s children,” Singleton said. “The way God planned it is the way it’s gong to be. We might as well accept it.”

Singleton turned 100 on Oct. 30. The Lebanon native, who now lives in Mason, has lived through the pain of racial segregation and intolerance and seen the hope and optimism of civil rights.

“She’s absolutely remarkable,” said Singleton’s daughter, Lois Hatch. “Everyone in the family puts her on a pedestal, not just because of all she’s done, but because of who she is.”

Singleton was born in 1909 to a town and time very much torn by racism. Singleton said that no one would walk with her at her Lebanon High School graduation because she was black so a teacher — Ms. Berry — walked with her instead. She attended Wilberforce University where she received a degree in teaching.

In 1933, she married Charles Singleton, who worked at the bottling company in town, near where Marie lived.

They had four children, Charles, William, Steven and Lois, as well as eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Blacks, Singleton said, had difficulty finding work in Lebanon.

“We went from store to store asking why they didn’t hire blacks and they would give us crazy stories,” Singleton said.

Singleton was honored this week by the Lebanon City Council.

But Singleton is not overly impressed at reaching the century mark.

“I don’t want all that hullaballo,” she said.

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