Altamese Marion

Reverend Doctor Altamese Marion was born in Jacksonville, Florida on September 1, 1930, to Walker and Minnie Marion. She later moved to Harlem, New York, where she graduated from high school, before settling in Westfield, New Jersey, where she became a longtime resident.

She joined St. John's Baptist Church in 1970 and remained an active member for decades. In 2001 she received an Honorary Recognition and Certificate of Ordination from the church. She earned her Clinical Pastoral Education Certificate from Overlook Hospital in 2003 and her Doctor of Religious Education from Lighthouse Christian College the same year.

Mother Marion’s deep love for ministering to others and praying with them guided her into Ministries in Missions and Intercessory Prayer. Her special passion for Prison Ministries strengthened St. John’s local outreach and extended internationally to the Maranatha Christian Center in Kingston, Jamaica. She also toured the Holy Land and was baptized in the Jordan River.

Mother Marion is survived by Cassandra Buchanan, Ralph Buchanan (Karen), and James O. Gwathney Jr. (Bill). Her daughter Francisca Washington preceded her in death. She was the beloved matriarch to several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.