Mr. Howard Marshall

Services for Howard Lee Marshall will be held Friday, June 30, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the More Than Conquerors Church. 3600 Snapfinger Road. Lithonia, Georgia 30038. Interment: Georgia National Cemetery Interment Georgia National Cemetery 5580 Knox Bridge Highway Canton, Georgia 30114 Reflections by Chaplain Howard Lee Marshall Having grown up during the Jim Crow era in segregated McComb, Mississippi, I was blessed to be apart of an African American community that modeled the African Proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.” During my childhood, adults could engage in all aspects of caring and raising children, regardless if you were their child or not. I had a support system that was afforded to me by the closeness and spirituality that exhibited in the community. We were also taught survival skills - how to become community leaders, better students, and maintain a healthy sense of self respect and character. Being in such a community also gave us hope and strength to cope with extreme prejudice, bigotry, and racism. “”...I enjoyed the unity, the deep and profound sense of community, the large and extended family that help to shape the moral, emotional, mental, and spiritual values of a community. There is little change if any I would make regarding the values instilled in me as a child and young adult. It shaped me, making me a man and gave me a sense of who I am and who I could become. It gave me the knowledge to know that I was on equal par and just as valued as any other human person. I took every opportunity to stand against racism, and prejudice during that era until today. I did it my any means necessary. My mother, uncles, brothers, and sisters constantly reinforced the personal values of our home and the community. My mother was the moral and spiritual leader of our home. She provided the love, nurturing and balance that gave me and my siblings structure, meaning, purpose, and personhood. Her value system placed her family as the priority, second to her faith, and trust in God. My father was absent from the home. He was not a significant influence in my life as a child. My love and devotion to my mother is endless. My twin and I were the youngest of six. As children we were required to share concerns and issues around the meal table or one on owe with our mother if such need arose. Discussion in a group setting were encouraged. My mother always decided the course of action in every problem solving situation. Many issues were talked about and secrets were discouraged. My mother was the strongest member of our family. The major events that shaped my life were: At age twelve when I became a Christian believer; the deaths of my twenty year old brother; and the death of my mother. “ - Cdr Howard Lee Marshall, CHC, USN Chaplain Howard L. Marshall received a Bachelor Degree from Carver Bible College in 1972. After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree, Howard then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. On January 20, 1974, Howard made history to be the first seaman to become ordained aboard a U.S. Navy vessel—USS Dixie. While serving as a Reservist in the U.S. Navy, Howard went on to obtain his Master’s degree in 1983 from Memphis Theological Seminary. After receiving his Master’s Degree, Howard went on to accomplish what few blacks before him were able to—he became an officer in the Navy. He would be selected by the Navy to attend Duke University Divinity School for one year of post graduate studies. In August of 1996, Howard was selected as the military “Chaplain of the Year” by the Progressive National Baptist Convention in Charlotte, N.C. During his military career, Howard had many accomplishments and commendations that included: Navy Commendation, US Coast Guard, Navy Achievement, US Coast Guard Meritorious Unit, US Coast Guard Special Operation, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Ribbon, and National Defense Ribbon, just to name a few. He was stationed at the USS Dixon, USS Raleigh, Marine Recruit Depot, and US Coast Guard 7th District and Marine Corps Base Lejeune. His biggest honor was to meet his spiritual soul mate—Patra J. Marshall. They were blessed to be married in 1980 and to have shared 37 years of marriage, memories, laughs, tears, accomplishments, setbacks, and growth together. Howard Lee Marshall leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife, Patra J. Marshall; two children, Steven Gant and Tamisha (Jeremy) Nichols; five grandchildren: Sierra Gant, Solomon Gant, Justice Nichols, Elijah Nichols, and Naomi Nichols; one surviving sister, Kay Frances Marshall; four sister-in-laws, Josephine J. Thaxton, Allene J. Davis, Patsy Johnson, and Carol Johnson; special niece Cynthia Marshall; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.

Tributes

Mr. Howard Marshall

June 5, 1948 - June 22, 2017