Marvin Eugene Fitts

Marvin was born on December 1, 1926 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi. At age 17 he volunteered to join the U.S. Navy during WW II. Later he served again during the Korean War as chaplain on the USS Des Moines.

His education from Union University, and Southwestern Baptist Seminary (Ed.D) prepared him well to serve his Lord in various ministries, including administration, teaching, music, and other ways.

Marvin, along with his new bride, Jean, together were appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries in 1959 and served many special years in Costa Rica, Peru and Mexico. After retirement to Bartlett, Tennessee in 1990, Marvin continued to serve the Lord at both Ellendale Baptist Church and La Buena Esperanza (The Good Hope) Hispanic Baptist Church. During these years in Bartlett, countless hours were spent having wonderful times with family, friends, fishing, and in his garden.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean Carlisle, his son Andrew of Seattle, Washington, his son Philip and wife Lisa of Memphis, Tennessee, his daughter, Janean and husband Edgar Cardenas of Xenia, Ohio, and his five precious grandchildren, Jenny, Drew, Christy, Jessica and Teresa. In addition, he is survived by four siblings, Lewis, Margaret Wages, Vernell Clement, and Peggy Wilson.

The visitation and funeral service will be on Monday, December 23rd, at Ellendale Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 1:30 and the Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at the Big Creek Cemetery, near Millington, Tennessee.

Funeral arrangements are being made by the Memphis Funeral Home, 3700 North Germantown Road, Memphis, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Ellendale Baptist Church, 3861 Broadway Road, Bartlett, Tennessee 38135 (designated for missions), or to the La Buena Esperanza Church, 1282 Berclair Road, Memphis Tennessee 38122.