VERLENE MULLEN Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Verlene Mullen, 89, of Pembroke, died Saturday, July 23, 2011 at South Suburban Hospital, Hazel Crest, IL. Visitation will be Thursday, July 28, 2011 from 10:00 A.M. until time of Funeral Services at 12:00 P.M at Lax Mortuary. Pastor David McMillan will officiate. Burial will be in Mound Grove Gardens of Memory. Memorials may be made to the family. Verlene Mullen was born June 1, 1922 in Boley, Oklahoma to Emmitt and Truemonia Wiggs Johnson. Mrs. Mullen began her career as a nurseÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s aide at Koch Hospital in St. Louis, MO. After relocating to Kankakee County, she was employed at Manteno State Hospital as a Mental Health Technician and retired after 15 years of service. Mrs. MullenÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s many outstanding accomplishments spans the entire Kankakee County. She was named a Ã¢â‚¬Å"Five-Star GeneralÃ¢â‚¬Â in the Kankakee County Community Services, Inc.Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s army against the war on poverty. She was one of several concerned individuals who breathed life into this agency that provides community services for low to moderate income residents. As assistant director of the Victims Assistance Center, she helped develop such programs as The Rape Crisis Center, Helping the Homeless, Court Monitors, Conflict Resolution and Parenting Classes. Because she wanted all to have access to health care, she was instrumental in bringing a Medical Center to the Pembroke area and was elected to serve as the BoardÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s first Chairman. Other affiliations include Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Law Enforcement Officers, Black Caucus Organization, Hospice of Kankakee Valley, Somatic Society, The National Republican Congressional Committee, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation, Trustee of The Village of Pembroke, Illinois Association of Board of Health, Airport 2000 and Kankakee County Crime Stoppers. She has been awarded many commendations for her contributions. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Milton Roberts on March 24, 1943 and in 1968 she was united in marriage to Maxie Mullen. She was a member of Bible Witness Camp where she particiipated in the Women's Bible Study. She enjoyed traveling and reading. She leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Sheila Black of Chicago, IL and Marilyn Sewell of St. Louis, MO; three sons, Glenn Roberts of St. Louis, MO, Kevin Roberts of Kankakee, IL and Milton Roberts of Baltimore, MD; a brother-in-law, Earl Pettigrew of Evanston, IL; nine grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Lucille Scott of St. Louis, MO and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, a sister, Jewel Pettigrew and an aunt, Lillian Wright. Verlene Mullen has truly left a legacy and she will be greatly missed.

Tributes

VERLENE MULLEN

June 1, 1922 - July 23, 2011