By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SYMMES TOWNSHIP - Marla Kimbrew Love died in her sleep at her home here Wednesday. She was 51.

She was born in Madisonville, Ky. When she was 3 years old, her family moved to Rochester, N.Y., where she graduated from East High School and attended Nazareth College.

In 1973, she married Steven R. Love,vice president of Economic Inclusion and Community Development for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.

Her husband's career allowed the Loves to live in 20 cities.

Her memberships included the Urban League, Sycamore School District PTO and Jack & Jill of America, an African-American parent organization.

"Marla was fun-loving and was always going the extra mile," said her sister, Rita Thomas of Rochester, N.Y., one of her 11 siblings.

"If something happened in the family, she was the one who knew about it."

A son, Steven Jr., died in 1995.

In addition to her husband and sister, survivors include two sons, Daniel, at home, and Orin of Alexandria, Va.; a daughter, Meredith, at home; seven brothers, Ronald, Gerald, Bruce and Richard, all of Rochester, N.Y., Thomas of New Orleans, Anthony of North Carolina, and Gene of Clifton; three sisters, Denise Kimbrew, Cheryl Williams and Janet Cromwell, all of Rochester, N.Y.; and three grandchildren.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. todayat Quinn Chapel AME Church, 10998 Southland Blvd., Forest Park.

Funeral services will take place 11 a.m. Monday at Quinn Chapel.

Memorials: United Way of Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Marla Love Memorial Fund, c/o Debbie Wilkins, 2400 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com.