Lena Marnet Whitfield was born Lena Cromwell on November 5, 1949, in Cambridge, Maryland, to Milbert Chester and Tillie Cromwell-Bosley. She was the oldest of 5 children. She was introduced to Christ at an early age, attending Bethel AME church in Cambridge.

Lena excelled in education, graduating as Salutatorian from Maces Lane high School in Cambridge, class of 1967. From there, she attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. She graduated with honors in 1971, with a major in sociology. Finding it difficult to find social work employment, Lena decided to take a job as a teacher at Piney Point Elementary in Lexington Park, MD. That decision blossomed into a 27-year career dedicated to Special Education. It was also while living in Lexington Park, that Lena met Robert Whitfield of Indianapolis, IN, who was stationed at nearby Patuxent Naval Base. They were married on June 28, 1975, and moved to Fort Wayne, IN the very next day. They welcomed a son, Jason, into the world on January 12, 1980. The couple remained together until Robert’s untimely passing on September 12, 2002. 

In Fort Wayne, Lena continued her education, obtaining her Masters degree in special education from St. Francis College. She also continued her career, teaching in Fort Wayne, Oklahoma City, Oakville, MD, Somerset, MD, and finally in Indianapolis, IN. She was by all accounts highly regarded by her peers and beloved by her students everywhere she went. She retired from teaching in 2001.

She loved to spend time with her family and friends, and she was active in every church was a member of over the years, especially at Bethel AME, where she sang in the choir as a child, and attended when she moved back to Cambridge in later years.

 Lena Marnet Whitfield was called home on Friday, September 20, 2024 in Terre Haute, IN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, brother William Bosley, and Brothers in Law Kevin Travers, Earl McCloud, and Jeffrey Whitfield. She is survived by her son Jason Whitfield (Lauren), sisters Phyllis Johnson(Gothlee), Sandra Travers, and Lois Bosley; Sisters in Law Brenda McCloud, Debra Vance(Bill) and Robin Whitfield, Her Grandchildren, Arielle Coleman, Laurence Whitfield, Leila Whitfield, Alaina Whitfield, and Jeremiah Whitfield, along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.  She will also be greatly missed by her fellow Maces Lane Alumni and church family.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Samaritan Funeral Home, located at 2425 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Service will begin at the funeral home at 1:00 p.m. with Bishop Arnick Shouse, Sr. will officiate.  Online condolences may be left on this website.