BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
A popular Baptist minister died last week at a local hospital following a brief illness. Rev. James Matthew Marion was 70 years old.
A family member said Rev. Marion had been placed on dialysis about 4 months ago, but never allowed his illness to prevent him from being active. He was at Tampa General Hospital for dialysis treatment last Monday when he became ill. He was admitted to the hospital and died on Tuesday.
A native of Dublin, Georgia, Rev. Marion was the oldest of 13 children and moved to Florida with his family as a youngster. As a sophomore, Rev. Marion moved to Seffner to live with an aunt and attended Middleton High School.
While in high school, he played on the Varsity Football team. He also met his future wife, the late Mrs. Carolyn Wheeler Marion. After graduating in 1960, he married and settled in Tampa.
Rev. Marion joined New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and served as a Deacon for more than fifteen years. He also served as president of the Gospel Chorus and was a member of the Finance Committee.
After receiving his calling into the ministry in 1975, Rev. Marion enrolled at Florida Seminary in Lakeland and graduated in 1985. He later obtained his B. S. degree in 1991 from Beacon College in Clearwater.
His first role as religious leader was at St. Mark B. B. Church, in Fort Myers. He later returned to Tampa and assumed the leadership role at New Philadelphia M. B. Church, where he remained for several years.
[private]Rev. Marion relocated and became the senior pastor of St. Mary M. B. Church, in Desoto County and New St. Paul M. B. Church in Hardee County. He led both churches for more than 14 years until his demise.
A member of the Desoto County Branch NAACP, Rev. Marion served in several capacities with various organizations including being President of Congress #1 Auxiliary to the South Florida Progressive Baptist Association. He also served as Chairman of the Evangelical Board, Director of Church Planning, Counselor to the Senior Women’s Auxiliary, and Chairman of the Association Banquet.
Rev. Marion is survived by 2 children, his mother, Mrs. Estella Marion, siblings, and numerous other relatives and friends.
The first wake for Rev. Marion will take place in Limestone, Florida, on Thursday, December 16th, at New St. Paul M. B. Church. The second wake will take place in Tampa on Friday, December 17th, at Exciting Central Baptist Church from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 18th, at 2 p.m., at Mt. Tabor M. B. Church, Tampa. Williams Funeral Home of Bartow is in charge of handling arrangements. [/private]
