The HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) mourns the passing of Mardell Denise Dilworth, who served as interim Executive Assistant to the Founder, President and CEO and College Relations Specialists at HCF. During her time with the organization, Mardell touched countless students’ lives through her dedicated work on the Annual HBCU Football and Recruitment Tour presented by the HBCU Campaign Fund.

Mardell died on October 20, 2025, at the age of 44.

Mardell began her studies at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock before transferring to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2008. She later continued her education through online courses at Liberty University in Virginia, completing her master’s degree in Business Administration in 2017. Mardell was also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Her pride in UAPB ran deep; she returned to her alma mater and dedicated more than 16 years of service as an Administrative Assistant in the Computer Science and Mathematics department.

She is survived by her mother Betty Dilworth of Brinkley, AR; her God daughter Blessence McCorvey of Pine Bluff, AR; her brother: Euguene (Jeanie) Jackson of North Little Rock, AR, Herbert (Ann Marie) Miller of Birmingham, AL; Freeman Eric Dilworth of Brinkley, AR; her sisters: Felicia (Ronald ) Portwine of Fort Worth, TX; Laura Jean (Albert) Boyd of Chicago, IL; Sandra “Faye” (Don) Gladney of Dallas, TX; and Paulette (the late Derrick) Hale of Millbrook, AL and a host of other families members and friends. Her legacy and impact will continue to inspire us.