The Russell CollectionS
William, Jason Hubbard, Jason, Jason, Jason, Jesse, Augustus, Inis
Marlyn Inis Lathrop Bogard Derby Coleman
1938
Profile/Bio
Occupations:
Marlyn, Automating the accounting system for the bank, General Motors Corp
Bill, Army-CIA in Vietnam War, Professor at Black Hills University
John, Corporate Director of Safety and Security with General Motors
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Memberships, Clubs & Projects:
Meals on Wheels
Dr. Alverez of Tulane Medical University, on the “A.B.” theory of children’s malformations
South Dekota: initiated half-way houses for run-away children
Secretary of South Dakota’s National Endowment of the arts and Humanities
the Oahe Dam Project
as Liaison to the Sioux Tribunal Conference during the Russell Means Crisis
researching and continuing the Lathrop Genealogy
secretary at Emmanuel Baptist Church
writes poetry
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Medical:
Uterine Cancer
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Religious Affiliations:
Baptist
Marlyn Inis Lathrop-Bogard-Derby
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Born August 22, 1938, Marlyn is the elder twin, and third daughter born to Inis Esther Russell Lathrop and Earl Henry Lathrop. She was born in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. Marlyn’s middle name comes from her mother, Inis. She and her twin sister, Mairlyn were the youngest children born to their parents.
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Raised on the same dairy farm as her elder sisters were, Marlyn, too, fell into having her duties. She stood by her elder sister, LaVonne, on a stool capping, washing milk bottles, and depositing filled bottles on the door steps of customers. The farm was sold before she became a teenager, so to earn her spending money, Marlyn obtained a job at the local cannery. When she turned sixteen, Marlyn secured a job at the U.S. National Bank where her father was employed. She and her father worked together while automating the accounting system for the bank. After completing high school, she went to Lewis and Clark College, majoring in Business, which prepared her for her life long career with General Motors Corporation.
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Marlyn married William Juddson Bogard on October 10, 1959 in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the CIA during the Vietnam War. Marlyn secured and enjoyed a successful career with General Motors Corporation where she worked until retirement. Transferring every five years, it was her assignment to open/close facilities operating in the United States. During this time, Bill obtained two Doctorate Degrees; one in History and the second in Humanities. He became a professor at Black Hills University in the fall of 1970. On October 9, 1972, they were divorced and Marlyn then turned to her career for peace of mind.
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G.M. sent Marlyn to General Motors Institute and re-assigned her as Area Personnel Assistant to the West Area, in San Francisco, California. She met John Frederick Derby; they were married on November 14, 1981 in Flint, Genesee County, Missouri. John, also a G.M. employee, was Corporate Director of Safety and Security with General Motors Corporation. He was credited by G.M. as shaping the standards for the Corporation and cited many times for his outstanding executions and legal direction. He remained Director until his retirement in 1987.
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Marlyn also was dedicated to helping others. While based in New Orleans, she worked with the U.S. International Consulate of Peru, as well as with Dr. Alverez of Tulane Medical University, on the “A.B.” theory of children’s malformations. She became proficient in typing thesis and doctoral dissertations.
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Relocated to the State of South Dakota, Marlyn dedicated herself to the needs of her new state. She initiated half-way houses for run-away children and established the “Meals on Wheels” to elderly ranchers. When she learned that juveniles were placed into the state prisons with prisoners serving time, she worked to establish separate juvenile quarters for them.
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She served as Secretary of South Dakota’s National Endowment of the arts and Humanities for five years, and was commissioned to work with the State on the Oahe Dam Project, suppling water for agriculture and surrounding cities. Perhaps her highest moment came when she was requested to serve as Liaison to the Sioux Tribunal Conference during the Russell Means Crisis. Marlyn now dedicated a great portion of her time researching and continuing the Lathrop Genealogy.
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She is a survivor of uterine cancer. She had no living children. Marlyn is born again Christian, and serves as secretary at her church, Emmanuel Baptist, in Flint, Michigan. She writes poetry and still maintains her interest in people. The motto she has lived by: “If you love, you live; one cannot live without love, so give of yourself with love to others.
BACKGROUND OF TWINS—Marlyn and Mairlyn
Marlyn Inis and Mairlyn Iris were identical twins born three minutes apart. Marlyn was the elder. They were identical, dressed alike which made it difficult at times to tell them apart. People were always getting the girls mixed up, which didn’t bother the girls. They would simply tell the individual who they really were and continue along. Both girls were educated in the same schools, had the same teachers, and were in the same classrooms. They were adored by the elder sisters who were 15 and 18 years their senior.
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As the twins became older, they were often approached by strangers asking them questions— “were they twins? What does it feel like to be a twin? Do you like to dress alike? Do you tease people as to who you really are? And can your parents tell you apart?” ---etc. This experience taught them to be gracious and to mix well with strangers.
After taking training as models, they became part of the modeling circuit, modeling clothes in the Portland department stores. They were the Twins, the Papermate Pen Twins (when Papermate introduced the double hearts for their logo). As well as the Sylvania Twins (when Sylvania Electric Company introduced soft light). Perhaps this all started when, as young girls, they were asked to help Santa at their father’s bank.
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The Twins were very close, however, they each had one close outside friend. Coincidentally, each of their friend’s name was Shirley. The twins had their own language, and more often than not they completed each other’s sentences while talking. Although they were so identical in looks, they also had the same mannerisms, as well as their voices sounded the same.
However, their personalities, and interests were seemingly opposite. This characteristic was complementary and removed any competition between them. Marlyn was quiet, made up her own mind, mothered her twin sister and nephew and was selective of her friends. Mairlyn, on the other hand, was outgoing, extremely artistic, musical and was inclusive in her friendships. Both had what was to become known as ESP. To this day when something has happened to one—the other one senses and knows it. Both girls were well-liked by those who knew them.
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Marlyn passed away peaceably from Parkinson's at 85 years old on Feb 11, 2024.
