Anita Francis Sizemore

Anita Marshall Sizemore passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at the Emerald Ridge Nursing facility in Solon, Ohio.  She was a Woman of Faith, Devoted Wife, Mother and Grandmother, Daughter and Sister, Aunt and Cousin, Friend and Confidant, Coach and Counselor. 

Complications from a urinary tract infection proved too much for a petite 99-year-old earthen vessel to overcome, but God… 

Anita Sizemore was born one of 11 children on May 17, 1920 to Willard and Victoria Marshall. Here are their names from oldest to youngest: Willard (Brother Willie), Lucille, Alma, Clerona, Dorothy, Robert, Anita, Louise, Kendrick, Willard (June) and Charles. Yes, there were two Willard Jr's. 

Anita married James Edger Sizemore on May 13, 1947. Anita and James enjoyed reading The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Cleveland Press, The Call and Post newspapers and Ebony and Jet magazines.  They also watched TV together.  They watched the news, baseball, Western movies and variety shows which led to many discussions about current events and black cowboys.  Another activity that they enjoyed was solving crossword puzzles.  

James worked as a Waiter in many of the most prestigious hotels in Louisville, Kentucky, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Cleveland, Ohio.  Anita would occasionally share stories with her children about her jobs:  movie ticket sales at a theater in Louisville, waitressing in Louisville and Cleveland and finally in the Navy Finance Department as an account representative at the Federal Building in Cleveland.  She received numerous awards and accommodations resulting from her stellar work ethic and productivity. Anita would occasionally remind her children (when reflecting upon the difficult early years) to “Remember me and be sure you tip well with a smile for good service at restaurants.  We made it on tips alone.  More than half of your father’s wages were tips in the early years and waitresses worked for tips only, no salary.” 

Anita and James raised three children in their home.   Sondra Louise Williams, the oldest of the three, was born on July 15, 1943, and died of ovarian cancer on January 31, 2019, at age 75.  She is survived by her husband, Ken, and daughter, Dawn Williams.  Anita and James were also the parents of two sons, Ronald Eugene Sizemore, 71 [wife Brenda] and James Edger Sizemore Jr, 69 [wife Curitia] .  

Anita and James would regularly encourage their children to live life according to God’s Principles as recorded in the Holy Bible. They not only encouraged it but also demonstrated it in their daily living. Not one loud, abrasive dispute or stumbling associated with strong drink, or curse words between them would be witnessed by their children. 

Following her husband James’ death, Anita lived a long, productive and joy-filled life in Cleveland, independent of care, managing her own affairs and attending church with her son, Ronald. 

A severe attack of Osteoarthritis and other complications left Anita unstable in standing and walking, presenting unsafe independent living conditions. After living for a brief season with her son, Ronald, Anita relocated to Charlotte North Carolina to live with her son James and his wife Curitia where she received loving care and companionship for more than a year. 

Throughout her childhood and most of her adult life, Anita regularly attended and held a membership with The Church of The Living God in Louisville.  In 1961, she joined Advent Lutheran Church in Cleveland.   She later attended Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Cleveland with her son, Ronald.  After relocation to California to live with her daughter, Sondra and family, Anita attended Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountain View, California. 

She is survived by two sons, Ronald Sizemore [wife Brenda] and James Sizemore [wife Curitia] and grandchildren: Dawn, Leah, Darryl, Brian, Brandon, Gregory, Ronald, and Keith. 

The family would like to thank everyone for the messages and kind words of comfort during this time of bereavement.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anita Francis Sizemore, please visit our floral store.