Lola Tue (Metcalf)

Ms. Lola Metcalf Tue was born at home in Kenton, Delaware, on Friday, September 12, 1919, to parents, Joshua Metcalf and Mary Guy Metcalf. On Monday, February 4, 2019, she quietly and peacefully transitioned from this life to the divine presence of the Lord, having lived 99 glorious years on this earth. Ms. Tue lived a remarkable and purposeful life. As the daughter of a farmer, she received her elementary education at the Kenton School #L40-C from September, 1925 to June, 1933. She then entered high school at the Delaware State College for Colored Students (as it was called at that time) in September of 1933. She continued her education at Delaware State College, graduating in June 1941, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She attended Temple University for two summers, but, when the University of Delaware changed its policy against admitting blacks, Ms. Tue chose to matriculate there and received her Master’s degree in Education in June, 1958. At the age of 22, Lola met and married Ralph Tue. Although they did not share any biological children, Ms. Tue satisfied her maternal instincts by raising two beautiful children, Maxine Newman and Timothy Still. She also enjoyed a stellar professional career in the field of education. Years ago, Ms. Tue indicated that, as a fourth grade student in the Kenton School, she clearly remembered deciding that she had the desire to be a teacher. The dream became a reality when she returned to Kenton School #L40-C as a teacher of grades 5-9 in January, 1943. Returning to Kenton School was the crowning experience of her life. She felt like coming home to serve the people that she loved and the people that loved her was her destiny. She continued to teach in that district for the next 22 years, positively impacting the lives of countless young minds. During the sixties, the country experienced the Civil Rights Movement. Many changes came in the way that children were educated. In 1965, Ms. Tue, who was then living in Camden, Delaware, was offered and accepted the opportunity to integrate the Capital School District in Dover. She soon realized that all of the experiences she acquired in Kenton, with her colleagues and pupils, had provided her with a solid foundation to make the transition successful. Ms. Tue continued her teaching career at Booker T. Washington Elementary School and Central Middle School, both in Dover. There, children were introduced to, and flourished through, the compassionate, hands-on, attentive teaching style of Ms. Tue. As a result of her love for and dedication to children of all races and creeds, in 1972, Ms. Tue became the first African American female Principal at South Dover Elementary School. She continued in that distinctive assignment until her retirement in 1981. However, in what had to have been an unprecedented occurrence, Ms. Tue immediately reentered the very field from which she had retired by becoming a substitute teacher. For 28 additional years, she continued to teach her way into the hearts and minds of thousands of fortunate students who gained much from her vast insight, wisdom, guidance, and love, until she finally and permanently passed the torch, at the ripe age of 89. During those 28 years, Ms. Tue also served as an adjunct assistant professor at Delaware State College, as well as an instructor at Delaware Technical and Community College. Additionally, because of her absolute concern for teaching all children, Ms. Tue thought of it as a privilege to teach in the Head Start program; to work with migrant children; and to tutor children at her beloved Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Dover. Ms. Tue advised that her philosophy about education was, “If we dedicate ourselves and work sincerely with children, we make better adults and reduce the jail population.” She simply loved volunteering and teaching children in any forum. Ms. Tue was an active member of the Epsilon Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and served as their chapter president. She was also a member of the NAACP, the Alumni Chapter of Delaware State University and the Alumni Chapter of the University of Delaware. Ms. Tue had a philanthropic heart and a giving spirit. Over six decades, Ms. Tue was bestowed numerous awards. However, one particular award that was especially meaningful to her was the “Teacher Extraordinaire” award that she received from Levy Court. Greater than her passion for education, Ms. Tue had a steadfast love for the Lord Jesus Christ. For more than 70 years, she was a faithful member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Dover. She was happy to share her favorite scripture, which was her life moto: “Love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mark 12:31). She visited the sick and shut-ins in the Dover area and, at one time, she volunteered monthly in the gift shop at Delaware Home and Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna. In 2009, the Dover Post covered the farewell event for Ms. Tue, who was leaving the Camden area to live with her son and his family, and quoted her saying, “You have to keep reading, and you have to be interested in the world…everyone brings something to the table.” Every man, woman, boy or girl, who’s life Ms. Tue entered eagerly tout her accolades: she was kind, loving, compassionate, and fair. She was trustworthy, and she was loyal. She was patient and understanding. She lived her life with an undeniable level of integrity that was above reproach. She was a gentle giant who will be remembered as a person who believed in the importance of encouraging others. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her 2 sisters: Elizabeth M. Lee and Hattie Waters; her brother, John Metcalf; her husband, Ralph Tue; and by her beloved daughter, Maxine Newman. She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Timothy Still, his wife Shanon, and granddaughter, Stacie Still (all of Burbank, CA); great niece, Annette Johnson and the Hackley family, Manassas, VA; great-great niece, Angela (Ray) Newman-Cowherd, Dana Point, CA; and great-great niece, Monique Newman-Green (Jason), Arlington, VA; Samuel Newman (husband of the late Maxine Newman), Arlington, VA; the Shockley and Elzie families of Camden, DE; the Taliaferro family of Chicago, IL; her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters; her Mt. Zion A.M.E. church family, Dover, DE; and an endless amount of friends and other loved ones. Humbly Submitted, The Family

Lola Tue (Metcalf)

September 12, 1919 - February 4, 2019