Mildred Ellen Oglesby

Mildred Ellen Oglesby Heath was born in Watson, IN on May 15, 1931.  She entered the world as the thirteenth child of Roy and Stella Green Oglesby and she was the last of the sixteen siblings when she transitioned to her heavenly home on July 19, 2025,  at the age of 94.

Mildred was raised on the family farm.  It was on the farm that she learned many life lessons which helped shape her character.  She was fiercely independent, determined, persistent, at times stubborn, but always loving and generous.   Her favorite way to communicate was to debate, a skill she honed with her brothers.  She always preferred to be out driving the tractor and working with “the boys” over being in the house.

After graduation from high school, Mildred left the countryside to attend Indiana University and earned a degree in Food Service MRI and ultimately became a registered dietician.  This career choice led to many opportunities.  She worked at the Red Cross Hospital in Louisville, KY; moved to Wilberforce, Ohio where she oversaw the student cafeterias at Central State University; and later accepted a similar position in Bowling Green, Ohio at Bowling Green University. She loved working with the students and tried to be creative and inclusive when planning meals.  At Bowling Green she started Midnight Breakfast during exam week.  She planned International Dinners showcasing food from diverse cultures and in Black History month the campus enjoyed a special Soul Food dinner.

All her life Mildred was a faithful Methodist.  She started her Christian journey as a child in Indiana and never was without a church home in any city in which she resided.  She was always an active member.  In Toledo she was a member of Braden UMC.  Through the years at various churches, she served as chairperson of the Trustees, SPPRC chairperson, Lay Leader and President of the local United Methodist Women (United Women in Faith).

After retiring from Bowling Green University, Mildred took a job at the Toledo District Office of the United Methodist Church as the Metropolitan Coordinator of Urban Ministry. During this time, she organized the Toledo Ecumenical Youth Council.  The purpose of the Youth Council was to develop leadership skills in inner-city youth ages 13-18.

Her service to the church was very important to her.  She eventually became the first African American woman to serve as Conference Lay Leader a role that had her visiting churches throughout all of Ohio.  She also served on the District Council of Ministries; District Education Committee; Higher Education and Campus Ministry; Religion and Race and the Strategy Committee.

Mildred was elected to serve as a delegate to Jurisdictional and General conferences and in 1996 she became a delegate to the World Methodist Conference in Rio De Janeiro and again in 2002 a delegate to the conference in Reading, England.

The last city Mildred called home was Cincinnati, OH.  At the age of 70 she moved there to marry Rev. Dr. Fredrick Heath, Jr.  and they were able to live out their remaining years together.

In Cincinnati, Mildred was a member of Gaines UMC.  It was at Gaines that she helped to create the Midweek Manna feeding ministry that still exists today.

Waiting to welcome Mildred into heaven was her husband, Fred Heath; her parents; her siblings Louise Oglesby Hurdle, Robert Oglesby, Margaret Oglesby Taylor, Iola Oglesby, Winston Oglesby, Richard Oglesby, Allen Oglesby, Louis Oglesby, Benjamin Oglesby, Helen Oglesby Stum, Edward Roland Oglesby, Mary Oglesby Huggins, Stella Juanita Oglesby, Franklin Oglesby and Mabel Oglesby Scrivener.

Left to cherish her memories are her daughter Donna Smith Hutchinson (Russell); bonus children and caretakers Beverly Heath, and Micheal Heath; grandchildren Bryan Smith Turner and Jennifer Smith Morell (Phillip Jordan); bonus grandchildren Alexa Mendez (Lloyd Dunn) and Lauren Mendez; great-grandchildren, Amen ‘Auset’ Turner, Elijah Copeny and Michael Jordan. Two sisters-in-law, Mary Young Oglesby (Benjamin dec.) and Naomi Oglesby (Franklin dec.); many, many nieces, nephews, and great and great-great nieces and nephews whose lives she impacted; one special nephew and niece Anthony (Tony) and  Cynthia Oglesby and very special friend Cheril Tribble.

Mildred will be missed by many, especially her Gaines UMC church family whom she held dear, and by other neighbors and friends.

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