Alice W. Marshall

Alice P. Marshall NORFOLK - Alice "Pat" Winchester Porter Marshall, 97, died in her sleep, Aug. 12, 2008, after complications of pneumonia. She was preceded in death in 1991 by her husband of 53 years, Carnek Marshall, owner of Larchmont Cleaners. Pat Marshall, inherited her full name and nickname from her mother. Born in Charlotte, N.C. to Samuel William and Alice Winchester Porter, her father was deputy sheriff of Mecklenburg County. As the youngest child and only girl in her family, her five brothers took great delight in saying their sister was born in jail, as the family was living next door to the jail when she was born. She received a BS degree from Asheville Teachers College in 1933, where she was a voice student of Mabel B. Nix and gave her voice recital in 1932. Drama and music were an important part of her school life, which included her most memorable role as Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet during her senior year at Asheville. After teaching five years in Mecklenburg County Schools from 1933-1938, she moved to Norfolk in 1938 following her marriage. Her life blossomed as she became a devoted wife, homemaker and mother of two children. She resumed teaching (only after her son began school) and taught in the Larchmont United Methodist Church Weekday Kindergarten from 1947-1959. She became director of the school for her last six years there. At Norfolk Academy, she taught first grade from 1959-1967, and in 1964 she received her master's in education from The College of William and Mary. She taught primary grades in Norfolk Public Schools from 1967-1975. She served as president of the Norfolk Association of Classroom Teachers and for two years was on the Executive Board of the Education Association of Norfolk. After retirement in 1975 from the field of education, Pat Marshall served as chairman of the Council on Ministries at Larchmont United Methodist Church. In 1985 she chaired the 75th Anniversary Celebration Committee of L.U.M.C. She also served as vice president and later, president of Larchmont United Methodist Women, as well as president of her Church Circle and member of the Administrative Board of Larchmont United Methodist Church. In 1982-1984 she served as state president of Virginia Alpha Delta Kappa, an international sorority for women educators. She was a charter member of Sigma chapter and later transferred to Fidelis Alpha chapter of ADK. Over the years, she was an executive board member of the American Association of University Women, member of Keynote Music Club, The Women's Club of Norfolk, Joie de Vivre Reading Group, Chapter AK, P.E.O., and served as president of ATC-YWCA. She was a loyal member of the Chancel Choir at Larchmont UMC and the Friendship Bible Class. Pat Marshall is remembered by her family as one who took her faith seriously every day of her life. She was not perfect, but understood the importance of being able both to give and to forgive. She trusted God...completely...in all things and she taught the importance of finding all of the goodness in ourselves and others as the place to begin the building of everything that is worthwhile. She also understood that we are all "works in progress" and that for all who love God, through Him, anything is possible to do and become. Pat Marshall is survived by her daughter, Andrea Marsavonian, and her son John Carnek Marshall, both residing in Norfolk; two grandsons: Christopher Todd of Las Vegas, Damon Christopher and Michelle Lynn Dumlao and great-grandson, Harrison James King, age seven, of Dallas. The family will have a private burial at 10 a.m. and a public memorial service followed by a reception in the fellowship hall at 11 a.m. Monday at Larchmont United Methodist Church, 1101 Jamestown Crescent, Norfolk, VA 23508. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Larchmont United Methodist Church Foundation. For more information, please call the church office at (757) 489-8168. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.