Evangelist Alberta McCullem

Evangelist Alberta Iola Jones transitioned from her Earthly Labor to her Heavenly Reward on Saturday, August 23, 2025, in Lansing, Michigan. Age 93 years. She was born on Friday, March 11, 1932, in Jonestown, Mississippi, to Andrew Freeman and Daisy Mae Smith. She was the second of sixteen children born.

Alberta gave her life to Christ at an early age and attended Jonestown High School. She was later united in marriage to Robert McCullem, and to this union five children were born. Alberta spent 11 years in Wichita, Kansas, before returning to Lansing, Michigan, where she lived most of her 93 years of life. She was a faithful member of Morning Star Church of God in Christ and Holy Ghost Temple Church, serving under the leadership of the late Elder Poch and Pastor Willie Dillard.

Throughout her life, Alberta worked at Yankee Corn as a cook and later devoted herself to being a caregiver for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Alberta enjoyed fishing, watching soap operas, reading her Bible and most importantly, seeking God both day and night. She opened her home for prayer meetings (My Father’s House of Pray), Bible studies, and tarrying services, leaving a spiritual impact on her community. Many came to know Christ through her witness and devotion. To many, Alberta was a spiritual mother—our Sarah—who nurtured and guided others with love and faith. -Michelle Harvell.

We will miss her midnight, early morning calls, but the greatest void will be her presence. She was our lifeline and prayer warrior until the end slipping away quietly in the comfort of our Lord and Savior.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Robert McCullem and Minnie P. McCullem; daughter in-law, Carla Sams McCullem; ten grandchildren, Antoinette (Edwin) Jones, Anthony McCullem, Renecia (Don) McCullem-Singleton, Charina McCullem-Billenwillms, Brittney Sellers, QaSheena McCullem, Matthew McCullem, Alphonso McCullem, Joe Ross, and Tommy Green; eight great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Ethel Young of Wichita, Kansas; one brother, Ricky (Ann) Neal of Jonestown, Mississippi; one sister-in-law, Paulette Mullens of Clarksdale, Mississippi; special daughters- and sons-in-love, Mentra Taylor, Evelyn Woods, Diane Harvell, Clara Pulliam, Loriane Adams, Judy McCullem, Sharon McCullem, Maggie McCullem, James McCullem and L.C. Richardson; many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who will miss her dearly including special friends Jeff and Patty Clark.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert McCullem; children, Samuel McCullem, Andrew F. McCullem, and Mary Ann McCullem; her parents; 14 siblings, brothers, Andrew C. Freeman, Preston Mullens, John Henry Mullens, Willie B. Mullens, Clarence Mullens, Lucison Mullens, and William Mullens; sisters, Roberta Jones, Geneva Mullens, Daisy Mullens, Flora Gray, Martha Tucker, and Odessa McLeod.