Obituary of Zenolia O. Binford

Zenolia O. Binford, known by most of her friends as, “Chicky”, passed away on October 4th, 2022, at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Livingston, NJ.

Zenolia was born to Zedora C. Binford and Decator P. Binford in Port Chester, N.Y.  Chicky was the twin to Deloria B. Eubanks and older sister Deborah Baity (deceased).  

She lived in New York until her family moved to Long Branch, N.J.  Zenolia attended Long Branch High School; while there, she was an active member of the choral under the direction of Dr. Lawrence Dilsner.  Chicky was also a member of the Long Branch High School Majorette Squad and the Tri-Hi-Y Club.

In her senior year, Chicky and her twin sister, Dee, were presented at The Monmouth County "Starlite" Cotillion.  Young ladies from around the Jersey Shore were selected to participate based on their academic standing in high school.

Zenolia was a member of Second Baptist Church in Long Branch under the leadership of Rev. Cornelius P. Williams.  She sang in the Jr. Choir and was a member of the BTU (Baptist Training Union) as well as a junior usher.

After graduating, Zenolia attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.  There she was a member of the Pershing Angels (a women's military drill team) and Phi Gamma Nu (a national business fraternity).  Zenolia graduated from CSU with a BS in Business Administration.  After graduating from CSU Zenolia moved to Newark, N.J., and began her long career of over 48 years working for the city of Newark.

She was hired by Calvin West, one of Newark’s early African American city council members.  While working for the city of Newark, Chicky was promoted to fiscal manager and contract manager with the “New Careers”, “Man Power”, and “One Stop” programs.  She was well-liked and respected by her colleagues and managerial staff.

Zenolia worked diligently in various campaigns of local politicians running for office both in the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey. Chicky was also a member of the Newark chapter of the NAACP.  However, Chicky was proud to be a member of the “Golden Girls” (a group of ladies in Newark) who gathered for birthdays and special occasions.

Zenolia is survived by her twin sister Deloria (Dee) Eubanks, “Adopted” sister, Jan Williams, nephew Lloyd Eubanks II, nieces, Khalilah M. Eubanks, Jessica Baity, Shawn J. Mattison, “Adopted Niece” Ashley Vickers, brothers-in-law, Lloyd Eubanks, Robert Baity, cousins, Isabelle Smith (Pa.), Mary Ann Crayton (Ma.), and Winfred Lynch (DC.), One aunt Willie Lynch (101 years old) DC.

To honor Chicky’s memory, the family will be receiving friends for a “Memorial Celebration” of her life at Preston Funeral Home, 153 So. Orange Ave, So. Orange N.J. on November 12th starting at 3 pm.

We invite anyone who knows her to attend. 

For more information or to send condolences, please visit www.prestonfuneralhome.net