Reverend Marshall Roberson

The Reverend Marshall Roberson transitioned from earth to Heaven on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at a Cleveland, Tennessee hospital. He was one week away from celebrating his 98th birthday. Marshall was born and raised in Cleveland, attended Bradley Central High School and has been a faithful member of the North Cleveland Church of God for the last 20 years. He was also a 50 year plus member of the Civitian Club.  

Marshall accepted Christ as his savior at a young age and committed his life in service to his Lord. Growing up he attended the North Cleveland Church of God and was inspired by many great pastors. It was at this church that he first saw a beautiful brown-eye girl named Mary, later to become his wife, singing in the church choir. The next Sunday, he joined the choir and the rest is history. They had 4 children and raised them to be active in the church. One of Marshall’s greatest brag is that all his children are Christians and are active in their local churches.    

His lifelong ambition was to lead others to Christ. He was a Church of God minister for over 50 years pastoring a church in Nashville and several in East Tennessee, including the North Chattanooga Church of God where he pastored for 17 years. Every church he pastored enjoyed the blessings of the Lord and experienced growth. His close friend, the Reverend Max Morris called him a “pastor’s pastor.” His ingredient for successful pastoring was to stay faithful to Christ, genuinely love the people, stay humble, and provide a vision for the church. He served on many Boards in the Church of God and was considered several times for higher leadership positions within the organization but declined to continue his calling to pastor. Late in his life he declined to retire from his calling saying he wanted to serve God even in the “fourth quarter” of his life. He and his wife Dorothy conducted religious services at the Bradley County Nursing Home every week until his health started to fail.

Marshall’s ministry was not limited to the church. The late Governor Frank Clement appointed him as the chaplain of the Main Prison in Nashville. As chaplain, one of his duties was to witness 7 electrocutions. Of the 7, he helped lead 6 to Christ as they prepared for death. He and Max Morris would also conduct services each Sunday leading the inmates in religious songs and him preaching. It is inestimable how many of those hardened criminals accepted Christ and changed their lives as a result of this prison ministry. Marshall was the first prison chaplain in the Church of God.

In 1963 Governor Clement appointed Marshall to the State Pardon and Parole Board. This Board determines whether an inmate should be paroled, or set free, from prison. A few years later, he was appointed Chairman of the Board, a first not only for a Church of God minister but also for a minister of any denomination. He was reappointed to the Board under Governor Buford Ellington. He not only preached religion but he lived it wherever he was and people noticed. Everyone associated with him recognized Marshall’s Christian reputation. Governor Clement would often ask Marshall to pray with him before they parted from a meeting.        

Marshall was always a courageous soldier of the cross, faithful to the end, rejoicing and singing the hymns of old, while continuously praising his Savior. His confidence and faith in Christ was contagious. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.  

His parents, Carlos and Ethel Roberson; his first wife, Mary; a brother, Carlos Jr., and grandchildren, Eddie Joe and Keri Hughes, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his second wife, Dorothy; sister, Edythe Hathcock; daughters, Brenda (Dale) Hughes, Karen (Bill) Winters; sons, Eddie (Kathy), and Dewey (Teresa); and step children, Miriam (Harold) Wood and Saundra Rose. He especially enjoyed the company of his 8 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Surviving grandchildren are Richie (Stephanie) Hughes, Jeni (Chad) Turner, Robbie (Amber) Winters, Heather (Mark) Johnson, Brooke (Matt) Jeter, Claire (Ryan) Wood, Ryan (Lindsey) Roberson and Meredith (Craig) Mosgrove. One niece and several nephews also survive him.

Two Celebration of Life services for Marshall will be held. The first service will be at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the North Cleveland Church of God with the Reverends Mark Williams and Max Morris officiating. His family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. The second service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 17, 2019 at the North Chattanooga Ministry Center on 2929 Hamill Road with the Reverends Jimmie Talley and Jerry McNabb officiating. That visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the Ministry Center prior to the service. Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Marshall Roberson endowment scholarship at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, PO Box 3330, Cleveland TN 37320-3330.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Roberson family guest book at www.fikefh.com.