Marion Elliott Broadnax
July 7, 1944 – December 23, 2011
After a courageous battle with colon cancer, Marion E. Broadnax passed away peacefully on Friday, December 23rd at Penrose Hospital in the comfort of her loving family and friends. A resident of Colorado Springs since 1976, she leaves behind both a family and community legacy that touches the hearts of many.
Marion was born the 3rd child to the late Majie Lee Wing and John Eugene Elliott on July 7, 1944 in Greenville, Kentucky. She grew up in a loving and nurturing family home with her siblings, Georgia Gene (deceased), Clarice, John (deceased), and Larry. Growing up, education was a high priority for Marion. She graduated the class valedictorian of Drakesboro Community High School in 1962 and attended Western Kentucky University where she earned both a bachelors and masters degree in the field of Education. With these milestones and achievements, her career in education took root. She started out as an elementary school teacher in Louisville and then progressed to teaching middle school in Colorado. She taught for 29 years at Carson Middle School in Fort Carson before retiring in 2005. With a 40-year teaching legacy, she passionately loved this profession and enriched the lives of many children!
Family was Marion’s first love and priority. She married the love of her life, Wallace C. Broadnax, in Louisville, Kentucky on June 17, 1970. From this 41-year union, she and Wallace were blessed with two wonderful and adoring children, Jean (daughter) and Elliott (son). Her extended family was her church. She and her husband attended Soldier Memorial Chapel on Fort Carson where they made friends with many brothers and sisters in Christ.
Marion loved life! She loved laughing, being with family, having fun with friends and educating children. She loved to travel and had the opportunity to experience Europe when visiting her son while he was in Denmark. She was also an antique collector and loved antiquing with her friends to find the best treasures and bargains. She once made an appearance on the TV show Antiques Roadshow and presented a Buddha collectible, which had high monetary value before the previous owner turned it into a lamp!
She volunteered with the minority and international student organization at Colorado College (CC), most notably in the Friends of CC Host Family Program, as well as the African American Youth Leadership Conference. She was also a very proud and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. As a Golden Life Member and ‘Delta Dear’ of the sorority, she served the local chapter and community with distinction and dedication for over 30 years.
Marion is survived by and will forever be remembered by her devoted husband, Wallace C. Broadnax, beloved children, Jean C. Broadnax and Elliott C. Broadnax (Laura), loving siblings, Clarice Willis (Leroy) and Larry Elliott (Ann), devoted sister-in-law, Myra Elliott, along with many precious nieces and nephews as well as countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know her.
Marion is greatly loved by those whose lives she touched and we are blessed to have her presence and influence in our lives forever. Friends and family are invited to send flowers and attend a memorial service on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 10:00am at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
Respectfully submitted,
The Broadnax Family