
Phoebe M. Gaither
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Phoebe M. Gaither of Meriden, CT, wife of the late Squire Gaither, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023. She was born in Oxford, NC on September 13, 1932, to Zebulon and Clara Marrow.
Phoebe graduated from West End High School in Clarksville, VA. She continued her education and graduated from Fayetteville State Teachers College in NC in 1954.
In 1954, Phoebe moved to Meriden, CT to pursue a teaching career. In 1955, Phoebe became the first black teacher in Meriden. She began teaching at Parker Avenue School on South Broad Street. Phoebe taught at Eli Whitney until it closed and transferred to John Barry Elementary School where she continued teaching until retiring in 1992.
Phoebe was an active member of Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in Meriden up until her passing. She was active in many community organizations which include, the NAACP, YMCA, and a voting poll worker. In 2007 the City Council of Meriden in recognition of Phoebe's 75th birthday and for being the first African American school teacher in Meriden, proclaimed September 15, 2007, as 'Phoebe Gaither Day' in the city of Meriden. In 2014 Phoebe was honored as an Unsung Hero by the Deliverance Haven Church and the Mayor of Middletown, CT, Governor Daniel Malloy, and other state officials for her community service.
Phoebe is survived by her children, Thomas Brent Gaither (Janice), Lori Gaither-Gordon (Alphonso), Michelle Walker (Conrad), and Marshall Gaither; grandchildren, Garrett Gaither, Ian Gaither, Justin Gaither, Brandon Gaither, Alphonso Gordon, and Angelique Gordon; five great-grandchildren, Anysa Martin, Jayden Gaither, Peyton Gaither, Brooklyn Gaither, and Micah Gaither; goddaughter, Sandra A. Preston; special niece who is like a sister, Cynthia Marie Preston; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Phoebe was predeceased by her thirteen siblings: Thomas Marrow, Ann B. Royster, Lucille Marrow, Dorothy Small, Catherine Williams (Eugene), Cornelia Hargrove (John), Robert Marrow (Christine), Zeb Marrow (Beulah), Bessie Martin (Charlie), John H. Marrow (Selma), Charles Marrow (Lucille), Alice Nelson (James) and Randolph Marrow (Linda).
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, 84 Franklin St, Meriden. Friends may call Thursday at the church from 10:00 - 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven. To leave a message of comfort for the Gaither family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com

