Marybelle Pryor Trimble

Obituary For Marybelle Pryor Trimble

A memorial service for Marybelle Pryor Trimble will be held on August 16, at 3:00 p.m. at Old Ship AME Zion Church. A tea in her honor will be held immediately following the memorial service in the fellowship hall of the church. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will conduct the Ivy Beyond the Wall ceremony at 2:00 pm before the memorial service.

Marybelle Pryor Trimble departed this life on June 22, 2025, the same way she had lived for 102 years: in peace and love. The far-reaching impact of her life remains a testament to who she was and serves as a legacy for the time we had with her--a long time and yet not long enough. We know that she is still saying to us now, “Put on the whole armor of the Lord, pray as you go, God loves you and so do I.” We know that she is greeting all the saints in heaven, including her brothers, grandchildren, loved ones and friends with, “Peace and love!”

She was a devoted and wise mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, a loving aunt, and a committed friend. Her biscuits and cakes were legendary. She collected angels, mugs, and children, taking in and caring for so many with a kind word or gesture. Her cards, which she sent faithfully, arrived like little gifts of cheer or remembrance. She was also an educated woman who used her talents as a teacher to impart knowledge to hundreds of students over three decades, a tireless community supporter through various organizations such as United Methodist Women, Church Women United, Marcy-Newberry Assn., and the Will Feed Program, and a staunch cheerleader for Black history and culture. Marybelle was a faithful Christian, a diligent church woman, and a serious student of the bible. Whenever there was a biblical question in Sunday School, we all turned to her for explanation. Most of all, she was a doer of the word, whose love for her fellow humans we all wished to emulate as the love of Christ was always apparent in her words and actions. In true Marybelle fashion, she donated her body to science.

To reflect adequately on a life that honored God so faithfully and brought such joy to so many would be impossible in this brief program, but we have included here highlights. May your memories of this extraordinary woman continue to fill in the spaces that remain and bring you peace and love in the days to come.

A TIME TO BE BORN (Jeremiah 1:5)

Mary Belle Pryor was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on August 20, 1922, to the union of Julius Pryor, Sr., and Lucille Caffey Pryor. The oldest of three children, she rejoiced in her role as big sister to brothers Julius Pryor, Jr. and Calvin Caffey Pryor, both of whom preceded her in death.

A TIME TO LEARN (Proverbs 22:6)

Marybelle attended Loveless Elementary School and Alabama State Laboratory High School. For her first two years of college she went to Alabama State College, transferring to Morgan State College, where she pledged the Alpha Delta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1942 and from which she graduated in 1943. She earned a master’s degree in Home Economics from Barnard College at Columbia University thereafter.

A TIME TO WORK (Romans 8:28)

She began her career as an instructor in home economics and textiles at Tillotson College in Austin, Texas. In Chicago, she worked for the Chicago Board of Education as a kindergarten through third grade teacher. She finished her career as a public-school teacher at Overton School from which she retired with more than thirty years as an educator.

A TIME TO LOVE (Proverbs 31:28)

Marybelle married John Alfred Trimble (who preceded her in death) on December 27, 1948, at Old Ship AME Zion Church. They moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she spent the rest of her life. To their union were born six children: Johnetta Lucille, John Alfred, Jacquelyn Kate, Julius Calvin, James Barnard (deceased), and Joseph David.

A TIME TO PLANT (Proverbs 31:29)

Marybelle was raised with a keen sense of values and principles, and she remained a devout Christian throughout her life. Growing up, she attended Sunday School and worship service at Old Ship AME Zion Church. After she married and moved to Chicago, Illinois, she furthered her work in the building of God’s kingdom at Christ United Methodist Church, where she was an active member and leader, providing her children the same religious upbringing she had been provided as a child. After retirement, she began to spend her winters in Montgomery, returning to Old Ship AME Zion Church, where she worked tirelessly in the Sunday School, regularly attended bible study, led the acolytes, and served on the Deaconess Board. She remained a woman of abiding faith throughout her life, praying without ceasing for others and providing words of encouragement and Christian wisdom.

A TIME TO REAP (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3; Proverbs 31:30-31)

Marybelle has left a legacy in each place and with each person she has touched—whether that be with the students she has taught, the friends she has imparted with her wisdom, the churches she has supported, the organizations she has graced, and the family she has poured into and loved.

Her legacy includes her children Johnetta Lucille Sturdivant (Eugene, deceased), John Alfred Trimble, II (Marietta), Jacquelyne K. White (Elijah, Jr.), Julius Calvin Trimble (Racelder), James Barnard Trimble (deceased) and Joseph David Trimble (Jacqueline); her grandchildren Stacy Sturdivant, Allyse Sturdivant Williams (Juba), Dawn Board, Jelani Trimble, Jendayi Trimble Smith (Vincent), Jahi Trimble (deceased), Dexter Jamal Trimble (deceased), Elijah Eugene White (Sonequa), Kalyne White, Cameron C. Trimble, Candiace Racelder Wake (Herman), Julius Thomas Trimble, Aaron Trimble, Jasmine Trimble Pugh (Elijah), Joseph David Trimble, II (deceased), and Joshua Trimble; nieces and nephews Julius Pryor, III, Pamela Pryor Grace (Ronald), Jonathan Pryor (Loan), Linda Pryor Elmore (Stephen), Debra Pryor Seay (Quinton), Donald Trimble, Alton Trimble, and George Edwards; and a host of great grandchildren, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, godchildren, students, and friends.

E. G. Cummings Memorial Funeral Home announcing.