05/08/2007

Notification of Death - Emma Genevieve "Ginny" Allen Dale

May 4, 2007

OFDA received word this morning that Emma Genevieve Dale, 91, retired Funeral Director and Co-Owner of the Dale Funeral Home of Toledo died from congestive heart failure on Wednesday May 4, 2007.

Born Emma Genevieve Allen in Urbana, OH in 1915, she was one of seven children of the late Harry and Clara Belle Allen. Four of her five brothers, many cousins and in-laws were Funeral Directors. "Ginny" as her friends called her was a founder, owner and partner with her husband, Clarence J. "Jack" Dale in the Dale Funeral Home Inc, one of the largest area funeral homes and a nationally known Black business of more than 60 years.

She was a longtime Toledo resident, entrepreneur and business women, a licensed Ohio Funeral Director, community activist, elegant hostess, and a gracious charming lady. Genevieve and Jack met during childhood and their friendship grew to a marriage of 63 years ending with his death in December of 2002.

She was the first African American valedictorian of her high school class and was awarded the school's traditional entry and scholarship to Urbana College; the first African American so honored thereby breaking down racial barriers of the era at the College. In 2003 she was inducted into the Urbana University (formerly Urbana College) Hall Of Fame along with her late husband Clarence Jaxon as an exemplary role model for the professional excellence and achievements of her life. She was a licensed Ohio Funeral Director and was the first African American Woman to serve as president of the Northwest Ohio FDA. Genevieve was also a member of the National Funeral Director and Mortician Association and the NFDA during her professional career.

She was a founding member of The Toledo Chapter of the Girlfriends, Inc., member of The Toledo Chapter of the Links, Inc, The National Association of Black Business and Professional Women's Club, The Study Hour Club, Zonta International, A lifetime member of the NAACP and several other service organizations.

Mostly Genevieve was the epitome of grace and style. She was a real lady who was soft, kind, warm, friendly and gracious. She mirrored her late husband Jack's ability to open a heart to everyone and make others feel special. Her demure elegance and gentle presence will be so missed in this world by her family and everyone who knew her.

The last of her brothers and sister, Genevieve was blessed in this life and leaves behind one son Allen (Renee) Jaxon Dale, a Funeral Director who worked side by side with her and her husband in the 18 years before her retirement in 1997. She also leaves her cherished grandchildren Clairese and Adrian Dale; her beloved nieces, Donetta (Fred) Scott, her treasured late sister Dorothy's daughter who trained as a Funeral Director under her in the Toledo firm; Barbara Wiltz; Carolyn (Robert) Meza and Jane Thompson; her nephews Robert (Yvonne); Ron (Dr. Cheryl) and Guy Allen-Wills, Jerry Allen; David Williams; and loving Sisters-in-law Edna Allen, Fannie Mae Allen and Janet Williams. Notably, she leaves Sheryl Riggs, the funeral director who entered her life to secure the Dale family's funeral service legacy, to love her and be loved and who continues the family's' tradition of outstanding service to the community in the Dale-Riggs Funeral Home since the retirement of Genevieve, Jack and Jack Jr.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 9, from 4 8 pm and Thursday, May 10, from 2 6 pm followed by wake services 6 9 pm which will include memorial rites by The Toledo Chapter of the Links, Inc. at 7 pm and Toledo Chapter of Girlfriends, Inc at 8 pm in the Dale-Riggs Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be Friday, May 11 at 11 am All Saints Episcopal Church; interment Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorial donations are requested by the family to be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, an organization Genevieve supported in life from inception in our area and the special people who serve there for others and who assisted her in her own recent time of need.