Marvelene McMullen

Obituary For Marvelene McMullen

Marvelene Loretta Tillman McMullen, affectionately known as "Mob" to family and as "Mrs. Mac" to everyone else, passed peacefully at home on Oct. 27, 2021. She was 92 years old.

She was born in Lancaster on April 7, 1929, to the late Andrew Tillman and Hattie Barber Tillman. She was the youngest of 11 children. She was married to the late James Francis McMullen for 65 years.

Marvelene gave her life to Christ at an early age. She was a faithful member of Mount Zion AME Zion Church for over 50 years and Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church for 30-plus years. She served in many organizations while attending Mount Zion. In 1981, she was elected the first female chairperson of the trustee board. While attending Pleasant Ridge, she served as a deacon, usher and member of the Presbyterian Women's Organization.

Mrs. Mac graduated from Lancaster Training School in 1947. She worked for a few years saving money for college. She graduated in 1954 from North Carolina A&T with a bachelor's degree in education.

In 1955, she married the love of her life, James Francis McMullen. In search of better jobs, they moved to Worcester, Mass. She continued her education, earning her master's degree in education. While in Worcester, she worked for the state as a social worker. She would often tell us how much she loved that job. She was always doing what she loved to do – helping others in need.

The family moved back to Lancaster in 1960. She accepted a teaching position at Barr Street High School. There she became known as "Mrs. Mac." She taught social studies during the school year and worked with Head Start during the summer. She became a mentor and role model for her students. She finished her career in education serving as a guidance counselor at South Junior High School for over 20 years.

She was a Golden Life Member of the Lancaster Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Over the years, she served in several roles. Her community service did not stop with Delta, she volunteered at HOPE in Lancaster for several years and participated in the backpack lunch program at Clinton Elementary School. She enjoyed helping, encouraging and blessing others however she could.

She also enjoyed traveling with her friends throughout the country and overseas. She looked forward to attending the CIAA Basketball Tournament each year.

She was a wonderful mother who told us and showed us her love every day. She believed in God, prayer and hard work. She believed that God would make a way, not in our time, but in His time. She was the glue that held our family together. She was a true model of what hard work, commitment, strength and most of all, faith, looks like.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Francis, and 10 siblings.

She leaves to cherish her memories, two children, Michele M. Harvey (Lonnie) of Rock Hill and James Michael McMullen of Columbia; three grandchildren, Lauren Michele Worthy (Johnny), Matthew James Harvey and Cameron Williams Harvey; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

We especially want to thank Rosetta Brown, Angela Washington, Dan McMullen and Mamie White for the excellent care they gave to our mother. Lastly, to Mrs. Mabel Mickle for her friendship for over 50 years.

Funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. today, Nov. 3, at Mount Zion AME Zion Church, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Paulette Leak. Burial will be at Lancaster Memorial Park Cemetery. Viewing was 1-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, at McMullen Funeral Home.

McMullen Funeral Home is in charge.

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