Georgia Tallier Rusan, January 18, 1921 –January 7, 2018, the widow of Dr. Thomas E. Rusan, Jr., and the mother of Francille Rusan Wilson, Ph.D. Mrs. Rusan earned her B.A. from Lincoln University in Jefferson City Missouri in 1942 and her Master’s of Social Work from Columbia 1944. She moved to St. Louis in 1945 and immediately became an advocate for civic and social justice. She was named a Woman of Achievement for her work in social welfare in 1975 and was given the Rabbi Heschel/Reverend King Award in 2009. In 2001 Mrs. Rusan became the first woman and first African American to receive the Charles Braithwaite Community Action Leadership Award from the Missouri Association for Community Action, as one who exemplifies the highest “standards of leadership, dedication and energy.”
Funeral Services will be held Friday January 19th at 11 am, visitation at 10 am at Layne Normandy Chapel 7733 Natural Bridge Road, Normandy, MO. The city of Richmond Heights will lower its flag in her honor. She will lie in state from3-5 pm on Thursday January 18th and her family, friends, and organizations will celebrate her 97th birthday from 6-8pm. Her survivors include her daughter, Francille Rusan Wilson, son-in-law, Ernest J. Wilson III; grandsons Malik Ernest Wilson and Rodney Rusan Gregory Wilson; great-granddaughters Maheeyah and Nyamka; 3 nieces, 7 nephews and a host of other relatives and dear friends.
