Marcellus Eugene Molton

Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Marcellus Eugene Molton, known to family and friends as Eugene or Gene, was born July 18, 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Lewis Molton Sr. and Leesie Kennedy Molton. Eugene was the youngest of five children (Lewis Jr., Anna, Roscoe, and Andrew). All of his siblings preceded him in death.

Eugene was a "God fearing" man who received Christ at an early age. He made Lee Road Baptist Church his last church home where he served faithfully until his illness. He found comfort in understanding that church membership and attendance were not prerequisites to sustaining a relationship with God, thus he continued to spend every morning in fellowship with God in his "man cave" reading the Bible.

Eugene attended Cleveland Public Schools, graduating from John Adams High School in January 1954. He enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation and proudly served his country from 1954 until 1958, at which time he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. It was during this time Eugene became a father to George A. Griffin (from a previous relationship) who also preceded him in death.

Eugene secured employment at the United States Post Office in 1960 while simultaneously starting night school at Western Reserve University (now Case Western Reserve University). Despite this hectic schedule (working days and attending school at night) he still found time to have a social life. It was during this time that Eugene was introduced to the love of his life (Mary) at a party. This resulted in a brief courtship and lifelong marriage.

On April 8, 1961 Eugene married the former Mary Roddy in her hometown of Indianapolis, IN. Eugene continued to juggle a job, school and new marriage until 1967 at which time he earned his BA degree in Accounting. In 1967 he began his career as an Internal Revenue Agent with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) where he progressed over the years.

With a steady career and loving marriage, it was time to expand his family. In 1973, Mary and Eugene were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, whom they named Mandisa, creating a happy trio full of love, laughter and living.

The following years were full of family vacations, social club outings (Eugene was a Charter Member of The Nucleus), early morning jogs, and community activism. On weekends, you often found Eugene doing yard work, washing the car, reading the newspaper, watching old westerns, shopping or yelling at the TV during a sports game.

Eugene retired from the IRS in 1993. During retirement Eugene and Mary walked 4 miles each weekday morning. They loved the outdoors, met many neighbors and others (including neighborhood dogs that became familiar with them), that would happily greet them on their daily walks. When the weather got too bad, they never missed a step transitioning their walks to indoors (often at Randall Park Mall, Zelma George Community Center or the Y).

After retirement, Eugene's community activism increased. He served as Street Club President for many years, with Mary by his side as Street Club Secretary. He also served as a Board Member and Vice President of the Lee Harvard Community Association. It was during this time he was recognized with many community service honors, including "The Umbrella of the Community" for commitment and dedication and recognized by Mayor Frank Jackson for Senior of the Year for Ward 1, to name a few.

Eugene will be remembered for his generous spirit, radiant smile, infectious laugh, kind heart, and unwavering devotion to his family, especially his wife and daughter. Although he has left us, he leaves behind a lifetime of love, laughter and a life well lived.

Eugene made his transition from this earth on Wednesday February 11, 2026 at the age of 91.

Eugene leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and faithful wife, Mary Roddy Molton of 64-plus years, his devoted and loving daughter Mandisa E. Molton, his granddaughter Ijeoma U. Griffin, several great and great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and loving friends.

John 14:2 – "In My Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."