Rolita Noble

Rolita Marie Dennis Noble “RO”, 65, made her transition on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 11:45 p.m. at Hospice of Northwest Ohio – Toledo.

She was a beloved Sister, Mother, Aunt, Great-Aunt, Daughter, Sister-in-law, Cousin, Mentor, Life Coach, Advocate, Protestor, and Friend.

Born October 5, 1959, in Toledo, Ohio, to Roland “Ronny” and Barbara Jean “BJ” Dennis Shaw, Rolita lived a life full of passion, creativity, and service.

Her education began at Lincoln Elementary and Martin Luther King Elementary, where she played piano and violin. She later attended Robinson Junior High as a flute player in the band, then Jesup W. Scott High School, where she continued in the band under Gus Walker. Rolita went on to study at the University of Toledo.

Rolita’s professional career began at the Toledo Lucas County Jail, working in the library circulation program. She later transitioned to the public library system, serving as the Circulation Supervisor at Mott Branch Library for many years. She remained there until stepping away after the birth of her second child, to focus on her daughter’s medical needs.

Rolita had countless passions. She was an avid reader and writer, and her love of music was boundless—Prince and Tupac were among her favorites. She loved ballroom and belly dancing, swam a mile every day, and could “lift weights like a man.” She and her friends often walked miles, sometimes for fun, and later in life to support breast cancer awareness. Her soothing voice made her a captivating reader, someone people could listen to endlessly. And lest we forget—she had an utter love of shoes.

Later in life, Rolita studied under Iyanla Vanzant, becoming a certified Life Coach and Reiki Practitioner.

She is survived by her two children, daughter Nzinga and son Luther Robert Valdez Cork, as well as her two cherished grandsons, Luther “Lil Robbie” and Nova Cork. She is also survived by her ex-husband, Lynn Noble; her sister Cletissia and her children—Evan (and his sons Evan and Emeka Shaw) and LeSean and Brittney (and their four children, Alivia, Aiden, Aliyah, and Avery Shaw); her Bonus Dad, Omar Bey of Washington D.C.; and cousin Oscar Hill.

She will be deeply missed by her lifelong friends BJ, Monica, Veda, Carmen, and Jennifer, as well as her Sista-Circle, formed in 1995: Sandra, Machi, BJ, Tess, Marcy, Pam, Deb and Heather.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Bessie Lee Hill and Mr. and Mrs. Ellis; her parents, Roland “Ronny” and Barbara Jean “BJ” Dennis Shaw; her godmother, Rose Ellis; and her youngest sister, Barbarella.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Homes & Crematory, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo.