Gregory Douglas Marshall

The journey of life for Gregory Douglas Marshall began on December 20, 1953, in Kansas City, Missouri when he was born to Charles and Odessa Cummings Marshall. He was raised in Arkadelphia by his grandmother, Augusta Balch Cummings who ruled tenderly with an iron fist. She taught him to live by high morals, fear God and get an education.

Greg was a 1972 graduate of Arkadelphia High School. He continued his studies at Ouachita Baptist University, and Arkansas Baptist College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology from the Carolina University of Theology. On November 12, 1974, he enlisted in the United States Air Force which allowed him to travel beyond Arkansas making new acquaintances and friends.

Greg loved all genres of music and was a popular disc jockey known as “TCK - The California Kid.” He could engage a crowd and keep them, dancing for hours. He often recorded music and found it to be a source of motivation, inspiration, and healing.

He was baptized at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He united with Mt. Olive Baptist Church where he accepted his call to preach in 1979 under the leadership of Rev. A. W. Terry. His great-grandfather, Rev. N. B. Balch, and his uncle, Rev. U.S. Cummings, Jr., were an inspiration to him. He reunited with Greater Pleasant Hill under the leadership of Rev. H. B. Montgomery. Their bond and friendship lasted until Rev. Montgomery’s passing. His pastoral assignments included Good Hope Baptist Church in Camden, Arkansas, Mt. Morriah Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, and lastly New Bethel Baptist Church where he pastored for 20 years.

He was an energetic, well-trained, and biblically sound preacher. He would spend hours praying and studying the word. He always found the good in a person and spoke positively about others. He was charitable always giving to the needy and the homeless. Though not perfect, he tried his best to be a living testament to God’s forgiveness and grace.

Rev. Marshall was chosen as one of the Outstanding Young Men of American. He served as president of the Clark County NAACP, instructor with Jr. Achievement of Arkansas and served with Feeding the Hungry of Arkansas. He has served as Moderator of the Clark County Missionary Baptist Association, Youth Coordinator of the Ouachita District Association, as well as, Public Speaking, and Sermon Preparation instructor of the Ouachita Baptist Association. He possessed a charming and sly personality. Always a gentleman, dapper and fashionable. He enjoyed shopping for the latest in-style suits, shoes, ties, and even eyewear. He was a hard worker and no doubt enjoyed the fruits of his labor. He worked for both Duke Energy and the Arkansas Electric Co-op as a control room operator.

Greg loved his family dearly and showered them with an abundance of love. His grandchildren held a special place in his heart. He was a Razorback fan.

His favorite bible passage was John 14:1-4. He attended bible study faithfully and continued to attend Sunday School and worship services regularly until his health started to decline.

His pilgrimage was modest but full and fulfilling. His healing came on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, after a valiant fight against cancer. His independent spirit, iron will, and strong character will never be duplicated but leaves an impression on the lives of those he touched and enriched along this life’s journey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his beloved grandmother, Augusta Cummings.

He leaves to continue and cherish his legacy, his wife, Shirley J. Marshall of Bryant, AR; his two sons, Charnaley Marshall and Christopher Marshall both of Malvern, AR; grandchildren, Ta’Shauria Marshall, Aryanna Marshall, Ashlynn Marshall, and Charnaley Marshall, Jr.; bonus children, Sean Grant, Tekesha Grant and Larry (Lindsey) Johnson all of Indianapolis, IN; sisters, Kathy Carter of Kansas City, MO; Dewan Pruitt and Terry Dolittle of Springfield, MO; an uncle, Ulysses (Martha) Cummings of Long Beach, CA and his mother-in-law, Lexie Taylor of West Memphis, AR. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, special friends, Alvernon Rogers, Rev. Llewellyn E. Terry, Sr., Rev. Derrick Flowers, Rev. Charles Hood, Rev. Jessie Williams, the New Bethel Baptist Church and the Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church families.

Submitted by the Marshall Family.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2022, at the funeral home. Homegoing services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., eulogist. The interment will be at Springhill Cemetery-Clayborn Chapel Community with Military Honors.  

Active Pallbearers will be Reverend K.L. Jones, Reverend Anthony Jones, Reverend R.L. Wesley, Jr., Reverend L.A. Craig, Reverend Jamal Brown and Reverend Quantel J. Williams. Honorary Pallbearers will be Charnaley Marshall, Christopher Marshall, Sean Grant, Larry Johnson, Phillip Jones, Orlander Macon, and Sam Harris.