Obituary of Marion Saunders Kellum

Marion Saunders Kellum was born August 23rd, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York to the union of the late Bennie Saunders, Sr. and Vernice Garrett, both of North Carolina. On Wednesday, August 21st, 2013, GOD took Marion home to glory. Marion grew up in Brooklyn, NY with her ten sisters and brothers. At an early age, Marion developed a personal relationship with God. She took piano lessons and played for Mount Olive Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. Marion graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Shortly after graduating high school in 1951, Marion's parents relocated the family to Amityville, NY where she began working as a switchboard operator for the New York Telephone Company for eight years. Marion met her love, Lidge Kellum, II of Harlem, NY, and they were married in 1961. Of that union their son Lidge Kellum III was born. Marion and her husband, affectionately known as Kellum, made their home in Babylon, NY. She worked for the United States Postal Service for many years before starting a career at the United States Veterans Hospital in Northport, NY. During her tenure there, she was highly valued as a skilled specialist administrator and received numerous awards and citations. After thirty years of dedicated service, she retired in 2005. Marion's faith in God enabled her to stand strong and independent, even through her battle with cancer. She remained active enjoying walks to the supermarket, and occasional bus trips out of state. Marion's passion was spending time with her grandchildren. Marion was preceded in death by her husband Lidge Kellum, II; father Bennie Saunders; mother Vernice Saunders; six brothers -Willie, Bennie Jr., Joe, Paul, Alfred, and Donald; and two sisters, Evelyn and Greta. Marion leaves to cherish her memory: her son Lidge, III; Grandchildren- Lidge IV and Elijah; Great Grandchildren- Kyran, Lidge V, Celeste, Lidge VI, Trayvon, Lydj'era, Lyj'aea; Sisters -Brenda Powell (Danny), Diane Keyes (Ronnie): Brother in-law- Henry Tribble; Sister in-law- Elaine Saunders; God daughter Marion Anthony; Cousin Doris Chisolm; dear childhood friend Elizabeth Hodges and a whole host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.