Born May 29, 1932, he was the only child of the late William Warren Mull and Lila Beatrice Cates Mull. Marlin and Barbara (Mills) Mull were married September 24, 1950.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; two children, Mary Beth Kensell (Ralph) of The Villages, Florida and Buford Marlin Mull Jr. (Debbie) of Brevard, North Carolina; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He graduated in 1950 from J.W. Cannon High School, Kannapolis, North Carolina, and in 1963 from Southern Wesleyan University as the class Valedictorian. Marlin later did graduate work at Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky and Columbia Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia. Southern Wesleyan University bestowed on him an honorary doctor of divinity degree in 1990, and in 2012 the Virgil Mitchell Award for pastoral excellence.
From 1950-1960 prior to entering the ministry he was part owner of the family business consisting of three furniture stores and a salvage operation.
Marlin’s pastoral ministry starting in 1963 included The Clyde Wesleyan Church, Clyde, North Carolina; Bethel Wesleyan Church, Flat Rock, North Carolina; Brevard Wesleyan Church, Brevard, North Carolina; Hayworth Wesleyan Church, High Point, North Carolina; Brooksville Wesleyan Church, Brooksville, Florida. In five of the six churches he led an intensive building project.
Denominational service included district superintendent of the North Carolina West District of the Wesleyan Church and twelve years as General Director of Evangelism and Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. During this time he also served ten years as Chairman of the Evangelism Commission for the National Association of Evangelicals. Following twelve years of denominational service he served five years as President of Wesleyan Village in Brooksville, Florida from 2001-2005.
He wrote Church Planting in the Book of Acts, Seven Principles of Better Living, Come to the Table (communion messages), Let Them Know (on church finances), and Reacting to Life’s Situations. Writings also include daily devotionals.
A Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:30pm-2:00pm, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Brooksville Wesleyan Church, 22319 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601, where Funeral Services begin at 2:00pm. A Graveside Service will follow at Brooksville Cemetery, 1275 Olmes Road, Brooksville, FL 34601.
