Marynelle Alsup Criswell passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born on October 21, 1938, she was the daughter of Wilson Raye and Rubye Holloway Alsup and grew up in Lebanon, Tennessee. She was married to her high school sweetheart, James (Jim) Howard Criswell for 64 years. She is survived by her children John Michael Criswell and Karen Criswell Serafin (Chris), her four grandchildren, Dillon Criswell Heard (Rachel), Charles Jesse Heard (Anna), Gracie Mac Heard and Josie Lynn Heard, her two step grandchildren Luke Serafin and Kristina Serafin, and one precious great granddaughter.

Marynelle attended David Lipscomb College after graduating high school, worked as a secretary for the college and eventually became a stay-at-home mother, teaching Sunday School and Bible studies over the years. She spent her last employment years as an assistant in the Reading Department at Columbia State Community College. She played a pivotal role in establishing “Prayer on the Square” for Maury County.

Marynelle, known as “Mac” to family and friends, was a devoted wife and mother, compassionate and generous to everyone and full of joy. She had a deep love for cooking, all things French, camping, hiking, books of every genre, writing, and cats. She was an accomplished singer, pianist, and a published author of poems, magazine and newspaper articles, and two books. When you met Mac, it was no secret that her greatest zeal centered around her relationship with Jesus. An avid studier of the Word, she knew hundreds of scriptures, had a deep understanding of Old Testament prophecy and had a joyous expectation for the second coming of Christ and Heaven. Mac was and will always be remembered as a prayer warrior who spread her hope in Christ to people of every tongue and tribe of the world.

Mac achieved the pinnacle of her dreams as a writer in 2023 with the self-published children’s story Marco Grosso about a chef who finds his happy place with song and delicious food. Her second book, published in 2025, is the story of her life-long journey to her spiritual happy place. Entitled, The Shepherd Takes a Bride, the book guides its readers beside the promised still waters of Psalm 23. Within the pages you will know her heart for the Savior and His heart for His bride, the Church.

Mac built a spiritual foundation for her family and countless others and will leave a legacy of love for Jesus for generations to come. Her presence will be greatly missed but we rejoice that she is now whole and healed.

The family will have a visitation at West 7th Street Church of Christ on Saturday, October 10th from 10-11:00 AM, with a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers please donate through West 7th Street Church of Christ to: Healing Hands Ministry or India Missions: Abraham Lincoln/Orphanage.