Mary Ellen Mangum

Mary Ellen Mangum, 71, of Chapel Hill, NC, and formerly of Glen Alpine, NC, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2014 following a brief illness.  Born April 25, 1943 in Burke County, NC, she was the daughter of the late James Edward Mangum and Winifred Louise Amos Mangum. She is a member of the First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine. Mary Ellen graduated from Glen Alpine High School in 1961 as the valedictorian, served on many committees, held many class offices and was an all conference basketball player.  She furthered her education by earning a Bachelor of Science degree from U.N.C. Greensboro. At U.N.C Greensboro, she was nominated and inducted into the Golden Chain Honor Society which is based on the seven links: Leadership, Scholarship, Service, Tolerance, Magnanimity, Judgment, and Character.   Mary Ellen earned a Ph.D. in Public Health from U.N.C. Chapel Hill.  She was employed at U.N.C. Hospital for forty years, and then worked part-time at U.N.C Hospital and Duke Hospital. Mary Ellen was a published co-author for textbooks on microbiology, and she also wrote music. She enjoyed her work, teaching others about microbiology, recreation basketball, playing and coaching softball, golf, and running.  

She is survived by a brother, James Robert “Bob” Mangum, Sr. of Glen Alpine; a niece, Julie Birchfield Kirk and husband, Lewie of Morganton; a nephew, James Robert “Bob” Mangum, Jr. and wife, Vivian of Glen Alpine; great-nieces, Kennedy Kirk and Madison Mangum; an uncle, Charles Amos and wife, Marie; aunts, Carolyn Pirkle and Kathryn Amos; her best friend and co-worker, Martha Rankin and a number of cousin.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the Glen Alpine Cemetery with the Reverend Mark Acuff of the Gathering Church in Chapel Hill and Mrs. Julie Kirk officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.  Memorial gifts may be made to the Winifred A. Mangum Scholarship Fund, c/o Lenoir Rhyne University, 625 7^th Avenue, N.E. Hickory, NC  28601.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.