Mary Jean Truvillion

From birth to death my life had been ordained as a public servant to mankind; so throughout life, I   followed the path that my Father paved for me. Mary Jean Truvillion was born on January 16, 1934, to the union of Albert and Prudence Hall McClendon in Waycross, Georgia. Mary Jean received her formal education from Center High School in Waycross, GA. She furthered her education at Lamar School of Nursing in Augusta, GA and later became a nurse in the United States Air Force.

Mary Jean accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and was faithful in church attendance at St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church in Waycross, GA. During her marriage to Reverend Dr. Jesse Truvillion, Mary Jean was known for her gentle way and involvement as a Pastor’s wife. Mary Jean McClendon was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Robert A. Reed, Sr., who preceded her in death in 1989. In 1997, Mary was joined in holy matrimony to Reverend Dr. Jesse G. Truvillion in Columbus, OH. Though she bore no children of her own, Mary Jean was a loving and faithful friend to each of her husbands’ children. In her leisure, Mary Jean enjoyed spending time with friends and family, traveling within the United States and as well as shopping.

To whom much is given, much is expected. Mary Jean McClendon enlisted into the United States Air Force on January 1, 1960. She served as one of the first black nurses assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. Mary Jean went on to serve wounded Vietnam veterans during the war. Stateside duty included bases in Oklahoma and Ohio. She was honorably discharged from service on December 30,1980, having earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mary Jean was a member of the Society of Air Force Nurses and participated in several annual reunions. Mary Jean departed this life on October 28, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Prudence Hall McClendon; sisters, Marie Boone, Ester Mae McClendon, Bertha Carter (her twin); brothers, Leonard McClendon, Clarence McClendon and James McClendon.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, retired pastor Reverend Dr. Jesse Truvillion; brother, John (Juanita) McClendon; sister-in-law, Othellia McClendon; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends; and the Memory Care Team at Addington Place of Brunswick, GA