Rev. Altamese Marion

Reverend Altamese Marion was born in Jacksonville, Florida on September 1, 1930, to the late Walter and Minnie Marion. She relocated to Harlem, New York where she graduated from high school. Subsequently Rev Marion moved to New Jersey where she became a longtime resident of Westfield, NJ.

She became a member of St. John's Baptist Church in 1970, where she was an active member for decades. She received an Honorary Recognition, Certificate of Ordination from the church in 2001. Subsequently she received her Clinical Pastoral Education Certificate from Overlook Hospital in 2003. Ultimately, Rev Marion received her Doctor of Religious Education from Lighthouse Christian College in 2003.

Mother Marion's love of ministering to people and praying with them led her calling into Ministries in Missions, and Intercessory Prayer. Her true passion in Prison Ministries bolstered St. John's outreach locally and ultimately led to international Prison Ministries in Kingston, Jamaica at the Maranatha Christian Center. Further, she toured the Holy Land and was baptized in the Jordan river, following in Jesus' footsteps.

Mother Marion is survived by Cassandra Buchanan, Ralph Buchanan (Karen), and James O. Gwathney Jr. (Bill), with her daughter Francisca Washington preceding her in death. She was also the matriarch to several grandchildren, great grandchildren and fourth generation great great grandchildren.