A Legacy of Service, Compassion, and Community

Margie Titus met her future husband, Adolphus R. Titus, in 1963 while they were both students at Texas Southern University. That same year, Adolphus was invited by his uncle to move to Midland, Texas, and begin working at Carver High School.

Margie remained in Houston to complete her studies in medical technology. After graduating in 1965, she joined her fiancé in Midland, and the two began building their life together.

Margie started her professional career at Midland Memorial Hospital, working in the medical laboratory. However, her time there was brief—soon after starting, she became pregnant with their first child and shifted her focus to family.

In July of 1968, Margie and Adolphus made a bold move that would shape their legacy in Midland: they purchased Tom’s Pharmacy at 204 N. Lee Street from John and Hellene Crawford. At the time, discriminatory lending laws prevented them from securing a business loan, so they used funds from their life insurance policy to buy the pharmacy.

“Through all of the obstacles, we were able to make it happen. I am so grateful for it all,” Margie recalls.

Margie withdrew her résumé from Midland Memorial to support her husband in running the pharmacy full time. The couple poured their hearts into the business, creating more than just a place to pick up prescriptions—it became a trusted community hub. Tom’s Pharmacy offered payment plans, made deliveries, and often extended a helping hand to those in need.

“My husband had a heart of compassion,” Margie said. That spirit of generosity was the foundation of the pharmacy’s success.

The business thrived, and the Titus family celebrated the pharmacy’s 25th anniversary with the community that had supported them for so many years. It was a tight-knit network built on trust, dignity, and mutual care.

Sadly, in December of 1993, Adolphus passed away from a stroke. After his passing, Margie made the difficult decision to sell the pharmacy, but she never stopped giving back.

She volunteered at the Midland Children’s Clinic, contributing her skills in the lab. Later, she applied for a position in microbiology, where she remained for a decade.

Margie credits Project Blueprint with helping her—and many other minorities—gain opportunities to serve on community boards. She went on to serve multiple terms on the boards of Samaritan Counseling Center, the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, and several city committees.

Through every chapter of her life, Margie Titus has embodied perseverance, purpose, and generosity—a lasting legacy in Midland and beyond.