SJ61: Celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. William James Marshall.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 61
Celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. William James Marshall.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, January 19, 2012
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 27, 2012
 

WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. William James Marshall, who faithfully led the First Baptist Church East End in Newport News, finished his earthly ministry and returned home to glory on November 10, 2011; and

WHEREAS, a native of East Orange, New Jersey, William Marshall attended Clifford J. Scott High School before earning a bachelor?s degree at Hampton University; and

WHEREAS, called to the ministry, William Marshall pursued a master of divinity degree from Virginia Union University and completed a clinical pastoral education residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; he later earned a doctor of ministry degree at Wesley Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Marshall began his career as a chaplain with the United States Air Force, providing wise counsel to those serving in the military; he later served as pastor of Shepherdsville Baptist Church in Ark, Virginia, before his election as First Baptist Church East End?s tenth pastor; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Marshall possessed a deep and sincere love for all members of the church and spent his first year of ministry visiting over 250 homes to personally meet with congregants and encourage them in their walks of faith; and

WHEREAS, led by the Spirit, Pastor Marshall brought an inspired vision for First Baptist Church East End that included an expansion of church ministries to better serve members and the local community; and

WHEREAS, First Baptist Church East End grew in faith and members under Pastor Marshall?s humble leadership, leading to the construction of a new church building that was opened for services in 2006 and became affectionately known as ?the Crystal Cathedral of the East End?; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Marshall took an active role in community affairs and was affiliated with numerous organizations, including the H.J. Evans Sr. Lodge No. 8, National Hampton Alumni Association, and NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Marshall inspired countless individuals to nourish their faith and serve one another over the course of his long and fruitful ministry; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Pastor Marshall will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife of 31 years, Cynthia; children, Christopher and Crystal, and their families; his numerous other family members and friends; and the congregation of First Baptist Church East End; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a beloved pastor and community leader, the Reverend Dr. William James Marshall; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Dr. William James Marshall as an expression of the General Assembly?s respect for his memory.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 61
Offered January 11, 2012
Prefiled January 10, 2012
Celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. William James Marshall.
Patron-- Locke

WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. William James Marshall, who faithfully led the First Baptist Church East End in Newport News, finished his earthly ministry and returned home to glory on November 10, 2011; and

WHEREAS, a native of East Orange, New Jersey, William Marshall attended Clifford J. Scott High School before earning a bachelor?s degree at Hampton University; and

WHEREAS, called to the ministry, William Marshall pursued a master of divinity degree from Virginia Union University and completed a clinical pastoral education residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; he later earned a doctor of ministry degree at Wesley Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Marshall began his career as a chaplain with the United States Air Force, providing wise counsel to those serving in the military; he later served as pastor of Shepherdsville Baptist Church in Ark, Virginia, before his election as First Baptist Church East End?s tenth pastor; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Marshall possessed a deep and sincere love for all members of the church and spent his first year of ministry visiting over 250 homes to personally meet with congregants and encourage them in their walks of faith; and

WHEREAS, led by the Spirit, Pastor Marshall brought an inspired vision for First Baptist Church East End that included an expansion of church ministries to better serve members and the local community; and

WHEREAS, First Baptist Church East End grew in faith and members under Pastor Marshall?s humble leadership, leading to the construction of a new church building that was opened for services in 2006 and became affectionately known as ?the Crystal Cathedral of the East End?; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Marshall took an active role in community affairs and was affiliated with numerous organizations, including the H.J. Evans Sr. Lodge No. 8, National Hampton Alumni Association, and NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Marshall inspired countless individuals to nourish their faith and serve one another over the course of his long and fruitful ministry; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Pastor Marshall will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife of 31 years, Cynthia; children, Christopher and Crystal, and their families; his numerous other family members and friends; and the congregation of First Baptist Church East End; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a beloved pastor and community leader, the Reverend Dr. William James Marshall; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Dr. William James Marshall as an expression of the General Assembly?s respect for his memory.