Willie Mae Marrow

Willie Mae Marrow



Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God, believe also in me.

St. John 14:1



Willie Mae Marrow departed this life on August 30, 2008, at The Residences at Thomas Circle, in Washington, D.C. She was born in Greenville, S.C. in 1933, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Hammonds. Willie Mae was the youngest of 17 sisters and brothers of whom all passed before her. In 1951, at the age of 18 she moved to Alexandria, Va. with her son, Sylvester Hammonds and married the late Rosland Bennett. Willie Mae Marrow lived a complete life as a mother, singer, corporate secretary, foster mother and friend. She worked with the Xerox Corporation in various capacitites for many years.

In 1954, she became a member of Mt. Ne/Bo Pentecostal Church in Alexandria, Va. under the leadership of late Dr. Vivian Irene Posey. Dr. Posey became her spiritual mother, confident and friend.

In 1968, as a member of the Singing Angels she met James Plummer Marrow who was the lead guitarist for the Spiritual Lights. They enjoyed making music together each Sunday afternoon. As well as having dinners at the local diners. After several years of dating they married in 1971. Mae enjoyed being a stay at home wife and mother. In her spare time she worked and volunteered with the elderly at several nursing homes.

The Marrows had a loving, nurturing home where they raised many children. Child-ren became an instant part of their family regardless how they came to their home. Many entered through foster care and/or adoption but all became full-fledged members of the Marrow family. Today the Marrows are blessed with a host of children, grand-children and great-grandchildren.

As selfless foster parents the Marrows gained many friends as they took care of their extended family. Becky Delcourt and her family are an example of the friends that worked with them for many years and shared challenging experiences as the Marrows raised Laura Farely a full paraplegic from birth.

In 1981, she was called to be an Evangelist. She worked with Dr. June Gaddis, her friend at United Faith Pentecostal Church (UFPC) that was recently established in numberous positions. In 2002, she was installed as the Pastor of the UFPC where she has faithfully provided guidance and leadership to the fellowship.

To cherish her memory Pastor Marrow leaves her beloved daughter, Yvette Jones, brother-in-law, the Rev. Samuel Tunstall and two sister-in-laws, Barbara Jean and Agnes Tunstall. She has dozens of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many dear friends and neighbors.

The Service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at The Love of Christ Church, 101 Lead Beater Street, Alexandria, Va. The Viewing will be from 9 to 10 a.m. and the service will begin at 10 a.m.


This obituary was originally published in the News & Messenger (Woodbridge, VA).