Marsden Eubanks Rawlings

On the third of May 1926 Rosalie J. Garret D. Rawlings were blessed with the arrival of Marsden Eubanks Rawlins, their second son. He was called to the loving arms of God Almighty on October 17, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. Because of necessity and segregation Marsden and Elwyn were raised and tutored by their great great grandmother until they both attended Baltimore City Public Schools. Marsden, who in his youth was known as “Pickles”, graduated from Fredrerick Douglass Senior High School in 1944. While at Douglass his major interests were sports (swimming and football) and mathematics. After graduation “Pic” Rawlings matriculated to Hampton Institute in Hampton, VA. His time at Hampton was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army. Upon completion of his military service he returned to school and resumed his interest in athletics particularly swimming. In 1950 Marsden graduated with a degree in physical education. Diploma in hand, he returned to Baltimore to begin teaching and coaching in the Baltimore City Public School System. It was at one of those early assignments that a lovely young teacher caught his eye. Using his athletic talent, he initially asked Anabel Mason out by tossing her a ping pong ball and saying “Think Fast”. Despite this sophisticated courtship, on June 7, 1953 Anabel said “I do”, resulting in a 55 year marriage. As a happy couple, Anabel and Marden, or as they will forever be known “Bel and Pic”, traveled the world extensively. Numerous cruises, trips to the Caribbean, Alaska, Africa and Europe all pale in comparison to the night they waltzed in the streets of Vienna, Austria. Marsden would remain with the Baltimore City Public Schools for over 30 years. Between 1962 and 1970, he taught physical education (specializing in swimming) at Douglass. Starting as junior varsity coach under the late Melvin Cade, Marsden also created the first co-ed swimming program at the school, and later became the Head Coach. “Pic” coached swimming, football, baseball and tennis. However, it was in the pool that his talent at encouraging and motivating young men truly manifest. During the 1965 season Coach ‘Piccolo” lead the Douglass Ducks to the “B” Division MSA swimming championship. This feast was particularly noteworthy in that it was the first time an all Black team had ever won a swimming championship in the state of Maryland. Marsden has been a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church for 46 years, where he has held numerous positions. He served several terms as an ordained Elder, Chair of Trinity Presbyterian Men, and Choir of the Long Range Planning Committee. Marsden was the recipient of the 2000 man of the Year Award at Trinity. He was a member of several organizations including the Phalanks and the Baltimore Mules. He was a proud member of the Hampton University Alumni Association and was recently honored by the Frederick Douglass High School Alumni for his accomplishments. However, his legacy is best seen not in a plaque or trophy, but rather in the lives of the men that were touched so many years ago. Those students who were the recipients of his encouragement and commitment attribute much of what they have become to the man that they have become to the man that they through the passing years have called coach, dad, mentor and friend. Though a disciplinarian, he often went the additional distance to reach a student. Whether it was going to the home to find a young man that was not in school, or taking a student to see a college in an effort to show him the possibility of higher education. He concluded his career as the Assistant Principle at the Fairmont Hill High School in 1982. In this way Marsden Rawlings has lived by the guiding principle that his role was not just to succeed on the field, but to be a builder of men. He life is celebrated by his son Dr. M. Keith Rawlings Two grandchildren Dr. Renata Afi Rawlings and Mr. Michael Jamal Sheffey Rawlings a doctoral Candidate in Engineering and Material science at Northwestern University, and numerous other family members and friends.

Tributes

Marsden Eubanks Rawlings

May 3, 1926 - October 17, 2011