Reverend James P. Marshall and Marilyn Lawson Marshall passed away and fully entered the Lord's presence on April 20, 2024 and April 25, 2024, respectively. “Pastor Jim” was 86 years old and Marilyn was 83. They were a loving couple having been married for 62 years. They were parents, grandparents, uncle and aunt, pastor and friend.

Jim was born in Niagara Falls, New York on February 4, 1938 to Rev. Fredrick Marshall and Edna Dickson. He was the third of four sons.

Marilyn was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, on November 13, 1940, to J. Harry and Martha Lawson. She was their only child.

They were both raised in Christian homes and developed a love for Christ and people from an early age.

Jim was called into the Ministry along with each of his brothers. He graduated from Barrington College in 1960 with a BA in Biblical Studies and a Minor in Organ. It was there he met the love of his life, Marilyn. They married on July 21, 1962 and raised three children together. They were a team in every sense of the word.

Jim began his music ministry in 1960 at Evangel Baptist Church in New Jersey before moving his young family to Akron, Ohio in 1964, where he would eventually serve for 20 years at Arlington Memorial Baptist Church as Music Minister, Youth Minister, and Associate Pastor. While in Akron he earned his Bachelor of Music from Akron University in 1969, was ordained into Christian Ministry in 1974, and received a Masters Degree in Pastoral Psychology and Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1982.

Marilyn began as a second-grade and special education teacher and later transitioned to preschool teacher in order to spend more time with her growing family. Later, she would work for many years in a local Christian Bookstore - which she loved. A teacher at heart, Marilyn encouraged her children to work hard in school and to broaden their interests with sports and music. She worked tirelessly along-side her husband in their various churches in New Jersey, Ohio and Connecticut, assisting him in all aspects of his ministry, She taught Sunday School and was a member of the church choir for decades. Marilyn had a sweet and friendly disposition and a generous heart, always making time for others and working tirelessly in service to our Lord.

Jim and Marilyn moved to Connecticut in 1984 to serve as the Minister of Music at Black Rock Congregational Church in Fairfield, CT. He would serve over 30 years in various capacities at Black Rock Church. Jim was an extremely gifted musician. He enjoyed playing piano and organ, directing various choirs and ensembles, in addition to handbells and full orchestras. For 15 years he produced the annual “Sights and Sounds of Christmas” spectacular, performing up to eight concerts each year - which was the leading evangelical witness to the community attracting 4,000-5,000 people every year.

His role at Black Rock Church grew over the years to ultimately include Care Pastor - a role he faithfully served through visitation, counseling, and officiating weddings and funerals. Together, Jim and Marilyn headed up the Senior adult ministry called “Young at Heart.”

While Pastor Jim officially retired from the church, that didn’t slow him down from continuing his ministry through playing the organ, visiting members in hospitals and homes, and caring for the Church’s elderly congregants. As always, Marilyn was at his side as they served the Lord together into their golden years. Even after moving to Assisted Living, Jim and Marilyn created new ways to minister by playing piano, praying, and encouraging other residents.

Pastor Jim and Marilyn are survived by their sons, Tim and David (Jennifer), and their daughter Debbie Letterman (Rod), and three grandchildren: Taryn, Lauren, and Andrew, and Jim’s older brother, Jack. They were predeceased by their parents, Fred and Edna Marshall and Harry and Marth Lawson and Jim’s two brothers, Dick and Bob.

All who knew and loved Jim and Marilyn are encouraged to add their condolences, remembrances, and photos on the www.Everloved.com website.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in their name to the Black Rock Church Missions Fund.

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