Pastor Emeritus Jack Russell Marbury

The life and legacy of Pastor Emeritus Jack Russell Marbury began January 5, 1942, in Fayette County, Cardale, Pennsylvania. He, however, was raised in Republic, Pennsylvania. Rev. Marbury was the fifth child of Dorothy Marbury. He graduated from Redstone High School in Republic, Pennsylvania, class of 1960, where he excelled in sports, particularly football. He attended Lincoln University of Missouri in Jefferson City, Missouri, and later in life Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio.

Rev. Marbury served in the United States Navy, where he was a member of the Special Medical Forces attached to the U.S. Marine Corps. He was sent on tour to Vietnam, where his duties were to go out, pick up the dead and attend to the wounded, and bring them to safety. He was in the middle of action in Vietnam and received several commendations for his brave action as a medic.

In 1967, Rev. Marbury was passing through Columbus, Ohio, and decided to stay. He sought employment and began a career at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, where he met the love of his life, Loretta Leonard. His career at Nationwide Insurance led him to various heights in the insurance industry. He was later employed at J.C. Penney Insurance as a Vice President, The Limited Corporation, and Countywide Security.

Rev. Marbury’s Christian experience began in 1971 when he accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at Christ Memorial Baptist Church. He was appointed as a Trustee and then chosen to be a Deacon. He was divinely inspired to the ministry; however, he did not accept the Master’s calling until 1996, serving as Associate Minister at Christ Memorial Baptist Church, and was ordained in December 1998.

Rev. Marbury accepted the call to shepherd the Goodwill Baptist Church, 806 Taylor Ave., Columbus, Ohio, in December 1998 and was installed as Pastor, February 1999. After assuming the pastorate, he was about preaching, teaching, and carrying out God’s vision for the church, the neighborhood, and the community. He served in this capacity for 25 years. After much prayer, meditation, and fasting, the Holy Spirit led him to merge Goodwill Baptist Church with New Creation Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Lawrence M. Harper. This was a divine move for both churches.

Everyone knows golf was Rev. Marbury’s favorite pastime. He loved the game and has played it for over 50 years. Pastor Marbury took great pride in his grilling techniques for our family gatherings, family reunions, and church picnics. He was the Grill Master in our family. As Pastor Marbury was leaving this earth, he was still praying for the church and the community, which shows his heart of love for the church.

One of Pastor Marbury’s favorite scriptures is Galatians 6:10: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men.” Pastor Marbury was married to Loretta Leonard Marbury for 56 years, and they have three adult children, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great-great-great-grandchildren. 

Rev. Marbury was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Marbury, two brothers, Richard Marbury and Guy Marbury, two sisters, Dorothy DeBerry and Eleanor House, brothers-in-law, Charles Leonard, David Leonard, Early Leonard, John Leonard, James R. Baker, Charles Searcy, Samuel Goggans, Edward Lauderdale and Holman Edmond.

Left to cherish his wonderful memory, humor, and advice, a devoted wife of 56 years, Loretta Leonard Marbury, two daughters, Kimberely Jeter of Warren, Ohio, Angela D. Latham of Columbus, Ohio, one son, Jason L. Marbury, Columbus, Ohio. Special daughter-in-law, April Marbury, and son-in-law, Harley Latham, Grandchildren, Brittany Jeter, Vincent Ivory, II, Taylor Johnson, Deion Patterson, Trinity Latham, and Jasmine Latham. Great Grandchildren, Zion Heller, Paige Barnette, General Barnette, Avah Patterson, Elliana Latham, and Zion Latham.Brother in law, Walter House. Sisters, Audrey Jean Searcy, Connellsville, PA and Ruth Ann Marbury, Republic, PA.; sisters-in law, Augusta Lauderdale, Columbus, OH, Lillian Leonard, Rockford, AL, Rebecca Leonard, Virginia Beach, VA, Lee Dorothy Edmond, Atlanta, GA and Loretta Leonard, Columbus, OH, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Special friend for over 57 years, Richard Ross, and another friend, Richard Harris.

Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what’s to be. A resting place along the road to sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, different paths along the way. We were all meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay. Our destination is a place far greater than we know. For some, the journey is quicker; for some, the journey is slow. And when the journey finally ends, we’ll claim a great reward. And find an everlasting place, together with the Lord. Through your journey on earth, we were blessed. In the arms of Jesus, you now peacefully rest. Though we still miss you, we find solace in this, that in heaven above, you now have eternal bliss.