Obituary of Marcella Revels

I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept my faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 Della Marcella Brantley age 72, was born on February 2, 1951, to Della and Marcelious Brantley. As a young adult she legally changed her name to Marcella Della. Marcella was a longtime resident of Camden NJ. She peacefully departed this life on Thursday August 17, 2023. Marcella went to the Camden public schools. She lived in Camden with her parents and two siblings. She moved to Clementon in 2020. She spent the past 6 months at Elmwood Nursing Home and from there she moved to her new home called heaven. Marcella loved the Lord with all her heart first and family second. She loved to dance and back in her younger days she could cut a rug and would be the last one to leave the dance floor. Last time she danced like that was at her daughter’s wedding over 22 years ago. After becoming saved her new dance partner was the Lord and occasionally, she danced with the praise dancers at the Annual Women’s Retreat. When Marcella didn’t dance on the floor with the dancers she danced in her seat. Marcella also enjoyed attending St. John Baptist Church. Before Covid Marcella looked forward to getting on the church van. She also enjoyed attending Potters House under the leadership of Rev. Jackie Bailey Moore every Thursday night with her daughter Tess. Marcella also couldn’t wait for January to get on the bus for the Women’s Retreat. She attended the Women’s Retreat from 1998 to 2015. It was during her Women’s Retreat weekends, that she would recharge in the Lord. Marcella married Melvin Revels 21 years ago in 2002. Melvin gave her the nickname (Marcie). All that knew Marcie came to love her presence of a good spirit that she brought with her. Marcie loved traveling with her husband to “Rocky Mount North Carolina” with the late (Rev. BJ Torres). She looked forward to spending that time with her husband and her St. John Baptist Church family. Marcella was a laid-back soft-spoken woman . All she needed to make her happy was her TV and her snacks. Her hobbies included doing word search puzzles, and watching Channel 6 Action news, BET (Sistas, Zatima, Celebrity Family Feud, Kingdom Business) to name a few and Lifetime along with Hallmark. We can’t leave out her love for her soap operas (Young and the Restless, All My Children and General Hospital). Marcella also enjoyed attending varies ministries like Potters House, Senior Choir and Hospitality. Marcella had many nick names “Della and Marcella” both given by her parents, “Stella” given by her youngest brother “Marcie” given by her husband, “Nanew” given by granddaughter Contessa, “Sheila” given by her great-granddaughter Jiyah. Whatever she was called she answered to them all. Marcella was preceded in death by her father Marcelious, mother Della, older brother Marcelious Brantley Sr. (Peanut), granddaughter Jamiaka and stepson Michael Williams. Marcella leaves to cherish her memories with husband Melvin Revels, younger brother Brian Brantley, (Barbara), Barbara Queensbury (god-sister). Four children Preston Thomas, Tina Smith, Paul Maddred and Tess Holley (James), Melinda Thomas (Tess god-sister), Jeff Smith. Grandchildren Dominque, Prince, Tyesha Brantley, Tyreese Parks, Nehemiah Smith, Desinee Davis, Arden Langston, Contessa, Jazmine, Javon Holley. Stepchildren Aaron Revels, Darnell Williams, Melvin Jr. (Janie), Jasmine, Jada Revels, Several grand /great-grands and nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Special friend Linda Thomas and her St. John Baptist Church family.