Marvin Eugene Gennings

Marvin Eugene Gennings, 76, died suddenly on November 2, 2003. He was pastor of churches in four states spanning 46 years, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, great-uncle and friend to many. He was born on August 29, 1927 in Newark, Ark. to Hugh M. Gennings and Avy Mae Bray Gennings with his twin brother, Marlin Rudene Gennings. The twins joined a loving Christian family of six other brothers and sisters. He graduated from Ouachita University in Arkadelphia, Ark., in 1948 as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves, and from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., in 1953. He married Rena Evans in 1949. He was pastor of Beirne Baptist Church in Beirne, Ark. from 1946-1948; Glen's Creek Baptist Church near Versailles, Ky. from 1948-1953; First Baptist Church in Eufaula, Okla. from 1954-1959; Southside Baptist Church, in Ft. Smith, Ark. from 1959-1968; Virginia Heights Baptist Church, in Roanoke, Va. from 1968-1980; and Fairfax Circle Baptist Church, in Fairfax, Va., from 1980-1992. "Pop Pop" devoted his retirement years to his seven grandchildren, Kathleen Elizabeth Ford and Joseph Harding Ford of Waldorf, Md.; Philip Gennings Harsh, David Alexander Harsh, and Nathan Barrett Harsh, of Chantilly, Va.; and Drew Gennings Fulton and Jack Gennings Fulton of Richmond, Va. His legacy of hard work, thoughtfulness, love, commitment and generosity will endure through them. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 short years, Rena Evans Gennings; three daughters, Lynn Gennings Ford, Carol Gennings Harsh and Chris Gennings Fulton; three sons-in-law, Paul Andrew Ford, Bruce Douglass Harsh, and Otis Fulton; three brothers, Ben L. Gennings of Batesville, Ark.; R.J. Gennings of Searcy, Ark., Marlin Rudene Gennings of Jonesboro, Ark.; and one sister, Valirie Terrell of Sherman, Texas; and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, including Grady Frank Gennings of Memphis, Tenn., Paul Edward Gennings of Dallas, Texas, John David Gennings of Charlotte, N.C. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 Parham Road, Richmond, Va. A service in celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Monument Avenue, Richmond, Va. Interment in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.