Rev. Howard Marshall

Our father, pastor, mentor and friend, the Rev. Howard Allen Marshall, Sr., passed into the age of the eternal on June 16, 2022. He was born in Hillsboro, Texas on May 27, 1928 to Mitchell A. and Erma Marshall. He graduated from Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro Junior College. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Christian University and a Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity Seminary at TCU. Ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tradition, he ministered in Dallas, Knox City, Lancaster and Odessa, Texas, and Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was the senior minister of First Christian Church (DOC) in Fort Smith, Arkansas from 1970 to his retirement in December 1990.

Through his ministry he was active in the denominational life of the church. He was moderator of the Christian Church in Louisiana and regional moderator of the Christian Church in Arkansas. He directed and counseled at more than 30 youth camps and conferences.

He was also active in the life of the community in Fort Smith. He was the chairman of the pastoral care committees at Sparks Regional Hospital (now Baptist) and at St. Edward Mercy Hospital (now Mercy). He was a reader for the Fort Smith Symphony and a board member of the Fort Smith Chorale and Sebastian County Parks Board.

In retirement he enjoyed playing golf, reading, singing in the church choir, visiting with dear friends, and more than anything his particularly large family. He and his beloved wife, Jeanette, were married in 1949 and raised a family of five boys.

He is survived by his sons and their families. Allen and Marion Marshall, Jerry Marshall, Jim Marshall, Dan and Zena Marshall, Ross and Alisha Marshall, his grandchildren, David and Tawni, Matt and Carly, Jeremy, Jesse, Payton and Hilary, Mitt and Heather, Alex and Camie, Katy, Grace, Jackson, and Brooks, and his great grandchildren Cooper, Conner, Seth, Maddox, Charlotte, Liza, Grayden, and James.

His memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. on July 15, 2022 at First Christian Church (DOC) Fort Smith, 3501 Rogers Avenue. Services and cremation are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

“The one thing that cannot be removed from this world…the only thing…is love. Love is the greatest power and our greatest opportunity.” – Howard Marshall