Special Tribute to Mother
Marilyn Etta Marshall-Pierce
A Great Woman of God!

Marilyn Etta Williams Marshall-Pierce, a beloved matriarch, mother, sister, grandmother, cherished educator, and pillar of the San Antonio, Texas, community, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. She was born December 8, 1943, on Goldsmith Street in San Antonio, Texas, to Threso Mildred Williams and Ora Mae Johnson Williams-Doss. Marilyn lived a remarkable life of faith, service, love, and devotion to God, her family, and community, where she touched many lives. For over eighty-two years, Marilyn showed deep sacrificial love and commitment as she poured her time, wisdom, godly values, and principles into the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, church, and community.

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Marilyn attended Cuney Elementary School, Douglas Jr. High School, and graduated from Wheatly High School. She excelled in higher education at St. Philip's College, where she also served as an administrator, at the University of Incarnate Word (formerly Incarnate Word College), and at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), earning multiple certifications and licensures as a fully certified teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and Special Education, dietetics, and health and nutrition. She was also certified in geriatric home health care and provided care for Noble Prince and Matilda Anderson. Marilyn was also a dedicated entrepreneur who owned and operated Mama’s BBQ for many years with true passion. People lined up across San Antonio for exceptional barbecue and unmatched hospitality, turning a simple food truck into a cherished neighborhood institution that brought people together one plate at a time.

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She was a dedicated teacher and educator for over 35 years in the San Antonio Independent School District, Northeast Independent School District, and East Central School District in San Antonio, Texas. Marilyn also developed numerous manuals and guidelines for special education programs in Region 20 that are still used today in the state of Texas. She was gifted in working with her students, many of whom excelled academically, graduated from high school, went on to finish college, and are successful business professionals and entrepreneurs. She taught students from elementary through high school and also conducted GED adult courses for those who desired to complete their education. Marilyn was an inspiration to other educators and mentored them over the years; many of whom went on to be superintendents of schools, principals, teachers, tutors, university administrators, and professors. Her mother, Ora Mae Johnson Williams-Doss, was valedictorian of her class in Gonzales, Texas, and her father, Threso Williams, was a mathematician par excellence. Together, they always encouraged their children, Marilyn, Theresa, and Gwendolyn, along with all of their grandchildren, to pursue higher education, and their vision still lives on.

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Marilyn was baptized and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord at Jacob’s Chapel UMC under Bishop Earnest T. Dixon in San Antonio, Texas, as a young child. She attended church faithfully and grew in the knowledge of Christ. She also attended Hood’s Point Methodist Church in Hood’s Point, Texas, with her parents, grandmother Mabel Green-Johnson, and her Aunt Reva Etta Johnson. As a young woman, she married Elder Cleophus Nobel Marshall, Sr. on May 16, 1963, and faithfully attended Lincoln Park Church of Christ in the mid 1960’s under the leadership of Bishop Charles Watkins, Elder Alfred Perry, and District Elder William A. Ellis, known as “Bishop E. Her grandmother Mable Green-Johnson, her husband's mother Earlene Prince-Marshall, and Rev. Dr. Cleophus S. Marshall Sr. who lived two doors from the church on Iowa Street, were baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit at Lincoln Park in the 1940s and 1950s.  In 1975, Marilyn and Cleophus founded and served as Senior Pastors of Bethlehem Temple Church in San Antonio, with a state-of-the-art sanctuary, school building, offices, auditorium, fully equipped professional kitchen, and multipurpose fellowship hall with a stage and baptistry, during which time they led a successful outreach to young people, families, and single adults who were saved and delivered as Pastor Cleophus preached the Gospel and Marilyn led the congregation in praise and worship. Together, they were ordained and worked diligently in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World organization. Marilyn was an ordained minister and anointed Bible teacher in her own right. She hosted a dynamic Ministry Radio Broadcast on Gospel 1480 AM (KCHL) in San Antonio, uplifting the hearts of people across the city with the Word of God. Her favorite Scripture passages were Psalm 91 and Psalm 37.

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She later married Lionel L. Pierce until he passed away in March 2008. Years later, she met Nathaniel Grace, with whom she shared companionship until she went on to meet the Lord in heaven. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Threso Mildred Williams and Ora Mae Williams-Doss; two aunts, Daisy Bell-Thompson and Itasca Lee Johnson-Miles (Earnest); one uncle, Melvin Johnson; one sister, Gwendolyn Joyce Williams-Caviness (James Ross Caviness); one grandson, Willis Eugene Bagley, Jr.; one granddaughter, Hannah E. Marshall; and one niece, Helima Miles. She leaves to cherish her memory, her sister, Dr. Theresa P. Miles-Patterson; the father of her six children, Cleophus Noble Marshall, Sr.; her six children, Lisa D. Marshall-Wilson (Michael Wilson), Dr. Bethtina Q. Marshall-Williams (Dr. Stanley D. Williams), Remae E. Marshall-Rodriguez, Dr. Cleophus Noble Williams Marshall, Jr. (Jamecca Marshall); Shawanna T.E. Marshall; and Dr. Tiffanni L. Marshall-Chelpathy; a host of grandchildren, Joy Bagley-Reid, Stephen Bagley, Grace Bagley-Coleman, Stanley D. Williams Jr., Dr. Jonathan D. Williams, Joshua I. Williams, James R. Rodriguez, Jr., Noelia M. Rodriguez, Arielle Marshall, Danielle Marshall, Emmanuel Marshall, ChrisShawn Marshall, Elias Marshall, and Alexis Chelpathy; a host of nieces and nephews, Tracy L. Miles-Allen, Ahbani Miles-Houston, Ralph E. Miles, Jr., Sabriya Miles-Gee, Hikeem Miles, Dr. Autumn D. Caviness; 1st cousins, Jewel Johnson, Earnestine Hairston, and Jerald Miles (Itasca and Earnest Miles children), and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Her passing and transition to glory are felt deeply by her family, friends, and all who knew her, but her legacy and testimony of faith and love will live on and remain in our hearts. Marilyn Etta Williams Marshall-Pierce leaves a profound legacy that spans generations of her family, local community, and the field of education. Over many decades, her dedication as an educator transformed the lives of countless students. It has often been said that few women have left a legacy as remarkable as hers—raising and nurturing a family that includes doctors, educators, pastors, influential leaders, and accomplished business professionals. Her greatest achievement was not simply what she accomplished herself, but the lives she poured into, the potential she nurtured, and the generations she helped inspire to pursue excellence, education, faith, and purpose.  Proverbs 31:27-30 says it best: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Her impact reverberates and lives in our hearts forever. “Mama’s beautiful soul lives on.”

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Funeral Services were held at 11:00 am CST (12:00 Noon EST) on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at True Vision Church, 2826 Ackerman Road, San Antonio, Texas 78219. Graveside services were held at Meadowlawn Memorial Park, 5611 East Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas 78220, and the Repass was held at Greater New Genesis Christian Center at 110 Hanna Street in San Antonio, where Apostle  Louise  Braziel-Benson is Senior Pastor.