William Frank Marks

Charlotte – Reverend Frank Marks, 90, passed away on April 7, 2014 in Charlotte. He was born on October 1, 1923 in Anson County, son of the late William Walter Marks and Lela Harris Marks. He and his wife of 66 years, Rachel Brown Marks, resided at The Cypress of Charlotte.

After serving in the U.S Third Army in World War II, Frank graduated from Wake Forest University in 1950, and earned his Divinity Degree at Southwestern Southern Baptist Seminary in 1953. Ordained at the Bethel Baptist Church, his dedication to his faith called him to serve as pastor to First Baptist Church of Oakboro, Hilliard Memorial Baptist Church of High Point, Holloway Street Baptist Church of Durham, and Eastern Hills Baptist Church of Charlotte. After 22 years of leadership in Eastern Hills Baptist Church, he dedicated many of his retirement years to service as an interim minister in the Carolinas, including four years at Bakersville Baptist Church, near the Marks’ much-loved Roan Mountain home. Mission trips to England, Germany and Zimbabwe also benefited from his commitment to service.

During his ministry, he served on the Boards of Gardner Webb College, the Southern Baptist Convention Nominating Committee for Boards and Commissions, the Baptist State Convention, the Mecklenburg Baptist Association, and as Chairman of the Piedmont Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Since 1995, Frank and Rachel were active members of Providence Baptist Church.

Frank loved to travel and explore the world with Rachel, visiting dozens of countries, making new friends on each trip. In 2003, Frank, Rachel with their daughter Marilyn, retraced Frank’s WWII steps across Europe from his Normandy landing to his advance assignment across the Czech border.

He is survived by his wife Rachel, children Marilyn Marks of Aspen, Colorado, and Reverend David Marks of Aberdeen, North Carolina. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Ashley Marks Walker, and Douglas Marks, and four great-grandchildren.

Friends are welcomed by the family from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at The Cypress of Charlotte. The service to celebrate Franks’ life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning at Providence Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Providence Baptist Church or First Baptist Church of Pinehurst, where his son Reverend David Marks is pastor.