Rev. Dr. Marvin Leslie - August 3, 2003

Sullivan Funeral Home

The Rev. Dr. Marvin Earl Leslie, 64, Pastor Emeritus of the Marshall Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, left this Earth to be with his Heavenly Father at 11:40 a.m., July 30, 2003. His 
almost 10 year struggle with kidney failure and cancer are at an end.

Marvin was born at home in Warrick County, Ind., Aug. 22, 1938, to Ora Thomas and Lucille 
Kapperman Leslie, and he died at home here in Marshall with his family at his side.

His early education was in the Chandler and Boonville, Ind. Schools. From 1956-58, Marvin 
served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Henley. He later served as a Chaplain in the U.S. 
Navy Reserve from 1970-74.

In 1960, Dr. Leslie answered the call to the ministry with the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Denomination.

He received his bachelor's degree from Bethel College, McKenzie, Tenn., and his master of 
divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary. In 1978, he completed his Doctor of Ministry 
degree in pastor counseling from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. He later became 
a licensed professional counselor.

While at Bethel College, he met the love of his life in the school cafeteria and on July 3, 
1962, Marvin and Jenann Demuth were married in Cordova, Tenn. They happily served 
congregations in Tennessee and Alabama while students. He later pastored churches in 
Springfield, Mo. and Mayfield, Ky.

In 1975, they moved to Marshall to serve the Fairview Cumberland Presbyterian Church which 
later merged with Marshall First Cumberland Presbyterian Church to become the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church of Marshall. He served as interim pastor and associate pastor of this 
merged congregation until 1989, during which time he oversaw the construction of the church's 
new facilities on Indian Springs Road.

In 1989, Marvin accepted the call to be the campus director of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Children's Home in Denton. In 1991, he was named the executive director of the home. This 
time at the children's home was the crowning joy of his life.

After his health failed in 1993, Marvin retired in 1995 and returned to his home here in 
Marshall where he again served the Cumberland Presbyterian Church as a pastor for 
visitation from 1996 to 2000 and most recently as the pastor emeritus for the congregation.

During his ministry in Marshall, Marvin was active in many volunteer programs that benefitted 
the community. He served as a founding member of United Churches Care, helped establish the 
volunteer chaplains at the Marshall Regional Hospital and Christmas in April programs. He 
served on the board for Interfaith Counseling Service and the Salvation Army. He was truly 
happiest when serving his Lord by helping others.

Although his life was altered forever by kidney failure, he faced the dialysis machines 
valiantly for almost 10 years. He viewed them as a way to live and not as a death sentence.