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Today, we honor the life of Marion Amelia Isom Wells. Born February 16, 1933 in Knoxville, TN to the late Jettie and Elizabeth Johnson Isom. She grew up in Knoxville in the “Oak Grove” Community. She was a 1950 graduate of Austin High School, a 1954 graduate of Knoxville College and a 1970 graduate of Howard University. She was employed as a Social Worker in Chicago, IL; Paterson, NJ; Annapolis, MD; Assistant Director of Public Welfare and Executive Director of the Adams Morgan Community Multi-Service Center; Marriage Counselor of the District of Columbia Superior Court’s Crisis Intervention Center in Washington, DC.
Marion returned to Knoxville and was employed by Lakeshore Mental Health Institute as Program Director of Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, and as Chief of Psychiatric Social Work. She received advanced, specialized Social Work training in London, England; Acapulco, Mexico; and Havana, Cuba.
Marion held offices in the Knoxville College National Alumni Association; the National Association of Negro Businesses and Professional Women, Inc; Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc; National Association of Social Workers; and was listed in Who’s Who Among Professional Women, 1987. She was licensed as an Independent Clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Tennessee. Marion loved her family, travel and the church. She served several positions in the Oak Grove A.M.E. Zion Church, including Secretary, Trustee and Church Pianist. She was a Mentor for professional Black women and was a leader of many. She served as an example of how a strong, Christian, Black woman can live her life in the service of others and God. She championed the rights of the underprivileged and was a protector of the innocent. Her sense of style was as sharp as her wit. She lived her life phenomenally and inspired others to do the same. She was a member of Oak Grove A.M.E. Zion Church.
Marion was preceded in death by husband, Carl Wells; special daughter, Marian Isom Fitzgerald; brothers, Jettie Isom, Jr, Raymond Isom, Stanley (Marie) Isom, Sr. of Knoxville, TN and Bettye (Thomas) Nowlin of Calabasas, CA.
She leaves unforgettable memories to, her sister, Dr. Theora Jamison , Knoxville, TN; special grandchild, John Elbert Fitzgerald; several nieces, nephews, family and friends. Those we love are with the Lord and the Lord has promised to be with us. If they are with Him and He is with us, our loved ones cannot be far away. May Marion be at peace. May Marion live with God and on the day of judgment, may she hear the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Amen. Family will receive friends, 5:30 p.m.- Friday February 16, 2024 at Jarnigan & Son Mortuary, 2823 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue- Knoxville, Tennessee 37914 Rev. Aderon Billingsley , Jr., Presiding.
Arrangements by JARNIGAN & SON MORTUARY