Marvin Gillum

MARVIN L. GILLUM, age 85, died peacefully at his home Thursday, January 21, 2010. He was born on February 2, 1924 in his town - Manassas. He graduated from Osbourn High School in 1940 and continued his education at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) where he earned a B.S. in chemistry and pre-med. He then received his D.D.S. from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. He worked as a dentist for forty years. His father, Dr. V.V. Gillum, established the family business in 1914 in Manassas where he served a number of patients who arrived by train from all over the area. Marvin served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Dental Corps during the Korean War. After retiring from dentistry in 1987, Dr. Gillum chose a second career in investment brokerage. He served Scott & Stringfellow as an Executive Vice President, a Senior Vice President, and sat on the Board of Directors. In 1947, he and his bride Mardi came to Manassas where they raised three daughters, Cindy, Debby and Melanie, who have given their parents six grandchildren and two grandchildren through marriage. Marvin and Mardi were blessed with 62 wonderful years of marriage. Apart from his devotion to his wife and family, Dr. Gillum's personal interests included tennis, bridge, piano and organ, reading, baseball, the Washington Redskins, and his alma mater VMI. His community activities read like a full chapter in "Who's Who in America," and include Mayor of Manassas for eight years (1996-2004); 15 years on the Manassas School Board with ten as chairman; former chairman of Prince William Health System Foundation; first chairman of the Manassas Historical Commission; a trustee of the Manassas Baptist Church and former deacon (where he had been a member since age five); former director of the City of Manassas Education Foundation; former board member of Historic Manassas, Inc; former commissioner of the Manassas Baseball League; former director of the Prince William Chapter of the American Red Cross; advisory board of the Prince William Campus of George Mason University; honorary chairman of the March of Dimes; former director of SERVE, Inc.; past president of the Manassas Rotary Club; Outstanding Alumni Graduate Award -Osbourn High School Alumni Association; Vice Chairman and Board of Directors for Manassas Dance Company; former member of Manassas Kiwanis Club; and the Grand Marshal of the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade in 1994. He has also been an avid supporter of the local fine arts, backing such attractions as the new home for the Center for the Arts and the Loy E. Harris Pavilion. During his tenure as mayor, the city experienced a renaissance which included receiving the 2003 Great America Main Street Award and designation as one of "Washingtonian" magazine's top places to live in the Washington area. He truly loved his city and his lifelong endeavor was to enhance the quality of community life for all who lived here. He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. V.V. and Lois Layman Gillum and his sister, Jocelyn Gillum Scott. Survivors include his wife, Martha Droste Gillum; his three daughters, Cindy Gillum Coiner and husband Bill of Midlothian, VA, Debby Gillum Milligan and husband Dick of Manassas and Melanie Gillum Przybocki and husband Dave of Manassas. Grandchildren include: Caroline Milligan of Winchester, VA, Meredith Milligan of Manassas, Cara Clayton of Sarasota, FL, Cory Clayton and wife Signe of Denmark, Rob Dufour of Newport News, VA, Mollie Przybocki of Manassas, Wil and Jenny Coiner of Midlothian and one brother-in-law, David Scott of Decatur, GA. The family will receive friends from 1:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 P.M. Friday, January 29, 2010 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas. A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace E. Metz School, 9950 Wellington Road, Manassas at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 30, 2010. A private family interment will take place after the service at Stonewall Memory Gardens, Manassas. Contributions may be made in his memory to his beloved Manassas Baptist Church, 8800 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 20110 (Marvin always wanted a chime tower for all to hear) or to the George Mason University, Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10900 University Blvd. MS5D2, Manassas, VA 20110 (for all to enjoy) in loving memory of Marvin L. Gillum. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com.

Marvin Gillum

February 2, 1924 - January 21, 2010