Rev. Roy Marshall

Rev. Roy Marshall left this world on November 2, 1991 at the age of 69 to go home to be with his Lord and Saviour. He came to know the Lord and accepted him as his Lord and Saviour in 1955.

Roy served seven years for his country. During World War II, he fought for our freedom and participated in the massive beach invasion on D-Day. he received a bronze star and a purple heart during his service in the army. He was married to Gladys for over 49 years. Together they had a son and two daughters. each of his children and grandchildren accepted Christ as their Savior at an early age.

He and is wife placed God first in their lives and home. He was an obedient, faithful and loving servant of God. One of his favorite mottoes was, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord". He had a ravenous appetite for ht Word of God. He daily read, studied, prayed and feasted on God's Word. Soon after his becoming a child of God, he felt God calling him into the ministry. He not only preached the Word, but also lived his life by God's Word and guidance.

He started his ministry by telling others of God's love and forgiveness in jails, prisons, people's homes, tent revivals and nursing homes. He became friends with several Christian men who had also been called by God to preach his Word. Together these men bonded together in Christ to serve the Lord. These fellow Christian brothers started services in tents with sawdust floors. Through the years this band of brothers consisting of Rev. Jesse Thompson, Rev. Jesse Gordy, Rev Ralph Taylor, Rev. S.T. Janney and Roy supported one another as each grew int he Lord and became full time pastors of local churches. God richly blessed each ministry with many people accepting Christ as their Saviour and dedicating their lives in service to the Lord.

Roy pastored first at Stovall Baptist Church. He later pastored Friendship Baptist in Woodbury, Mount Hope Baptist in Warm Springs, Johnson Chapel Baptist in Valley, Snowden Baptist in Montgomery, and finally at Hilyer Baptist in LaGrange. He received special recognition from the Maxwell Federal Prison in Montgomery for having the longest record of continuous faithful service of 19 years to its staff and inmates. Roy had a special gift from God. he was given the ability and passion to reach people behind bars for Christ. People not only imprisoned for their crimes but imprisoned by sin. Roy told them of God's forgiveness and love and showed them and their families the love of God through his own example. Several of these families shared Roy and Gladys's home over the years. There was always an abundance of love and food in their home. They became affectionately called "Maw Maw" and "Paw Paw" by all who experienced the Christian love that exuded from their home and lives.

Due to Roy's obedience to God and his over-whelming love of God, souls were saved. Many souls dedicated their lives to God's service as pastors, evangelists, missionaries, deacons, Sunday school teachers, and ministers of music. Many became mothers and fathers teaching their children of God's love and forgiveness.

Roy's faithfulness to serve God has become as the domino theory. Souls are continuing to be saved and are serving God today as a direct result of his dedication to God. All of Roy's children accepted Christ as their Saviour. All of his grandchildren accepted Christ as their Saviour. now his great-grandchildren have already started accepting Christ as their Saviour. Roy's Brothers, sisters, nieces, nephew, neighbors, friends, fellow employees have came to Christ and are in full time service because of his testimony. Oh, what a legacy Roy has left for his family and friends!