Marvin Thomas Billingsley, 76, died on Friday, June 15, 2012 in Chattanooga.
He was born March 14, 1936 in Bakewell, Tn., to the late Andrew Hinch and Pauline Billingsley.
He attended public schools in Bakewell and was a 1953 graduate of Booker T. Washington School.
Academically, he matriculated at the following institutions: Zion Bible College, American Baptist Theological Seminary Extension, Chattanooga City College, UT at Knoxville, Interdenominational Theological Center, Lane College, Moody Bible Institute, Chattanooga Bible Institute, Vanderbilt University, and Unity Mission Center.
He was a Chattanooga public school teacher for seven years at Howard High School and Kirkman Technical High School.
He was ordained on April 1960 at New Monumental Baptist Church.
He was the pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dayton, for four years; New Enon Baptist Church in Chattanooga, for eight years; Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church in Chattanooga, for 36 years; Evangelistic/Mission Ministry (Tri-state area) for five years. He, along with other ministers, were instrumental in the renaming of 9th Street to Martin Luther King Boulevard.
He was preceded in death by his brother, James Billingsley.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Pearl Fowlkes Billingsley; one daughter, Priscilla (Harold) McGhee; one step-son, Jafus Trammell; two grandchildren, Rev. Adrian D. Davis and Camille P. Davis; one aunt, Lillian Lott; four nieces, one nephew; a host of cousins and close friends; one very loyal friend, Rev. Virgil Caldwell.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, June 23, at 11 a.m. at Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1115 North Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37411, with Reverend Roderick Ware officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Gardens.
The body will lie in state after noon on Friday, June 22, at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 6–7 p.m. at Greater Tucker Baptist Church. A Tribute Service will also be held at the church beginning at 7 p.m.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.