Holy Scripture Church of Christ

Here follows an excerpt from the Annandale Today newspaper:

A local Black community honors its history
July 20, 2023

Elder George Marshall was responsible for bringing sewers and water to the community and getting Lacy Boulevard paved, said Robert Wright, a member of the Black American Registry Committee.

As a religious leader, “he started from scratch,” Wright said. He preached in a tent on a baseball field, then relocated to an underground church in a building with a top story destroyed in a storm.

Marshall then established the Holy Scripture Church of Christ on Lacy Boulevard, where he served as pastor for 50 years. He died in November 2022.

Marshall was more than a religious leader, Wright said. He fought for civil rights, built several houses in Bailey’s Crossroads, and advocated for community improvements. He founded a program called HELP (Help Every Living Person) to provide free food and other assistance for those in need.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Chinn-Baker Funeral Service website:

Elder George Lewis Marshall
February 22, 1927 - November 14, 2022

George Lewis Marshall was born February 22, 1927 in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, to the late Walter and Mamie Marshall. He was the 9th child of thirteen siblings, seven brothers and five sisters. George was called home on the morning of November 14, 2022.

George received his early education in Bailey’s Crossroads Va. After obtaining his GED as an adult, he graduated from Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale Va. with an Associates of Arts degree in Business. He also attended classes at George Washington University and graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Political Science. George was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate for his studies in Divinity.

George was inducted into the United States Navy in February of 1945 where he served on the USS Weeden and USS Richard S Bull, during World War II until July of 1946.

On March 12, 1948 George (Guy) married Adele Woods (Boots). They were blessed with 6 children: Greer Louise, Jeremiah, Cynthia, Kent, David Leon & Gourth whom they loved and nurtured.

He was employed by the Federal government at the Washington Navy Yard for many years until his retirement.

George attended services at Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., under the leadership of Bishop Elder Smallwood E. Williams, founder and pastor. Here, he was inspired by this great preacher, Civil Rights leader, Activist for Human Rights and one of the “champion fighters” against segregation and human injustice against blacks and other minorities. Bishop Williams made a lasting impression on George, especially the preaching of the Gospel. Touched and moved by the power of the Gospel, George was baptized at Bible Way Church by Bishop Williams.

George, (along with his wife Adele) started the Holy Scripture Church of Christ and served as its First Elder and Pastor for over 50 years, until he became Pastor Emeritus in 2020.

Over the years, George gave of himself to the Bailey’s Crossroads community. Some of his civic contributions include:
· Initiative to have gas and running water piped into the community
· Hard surfacing of Lacy Blvd
· Fought to have an elementary school built (named for the late principal and community leader, Lillian Carey) so that children would not have to be bused
· As a general contractor he built his own home and Holy Scripture Church of Christ as well as multiple homes on Lacy Blvd, and others in the Northern Virginia community.
· Founded and organized the H.E.L.P Program, with the theme “Help Every Living Person,” which has been contributing to a variety of human needs locally and nationally

George’s interests were vast, he built friendships with prominent leaders. He enjoyed traveling with church and community members to Europe, Russia, Jerusalem, Japan and Korea to name a few. He hosted several International festivals held in the church’s Love Garden. One of his favorite pastimes was playing the piano. He took lessons and often played for family and friends. He loved sharing stories of his experiences and saw every moment as an opportunity to educate someone.

George leaves to cherish his most beloved memory: two daughters, Greer Louise Marshall, Cynthia Marshall Stewart, two sons Kent and Gourth Marshall, a brother Howard Lewis Marshall, a sister Dorothy Marshall Mintz; 13 Grandchildren, Kimberly Stewart, Greer R Marshall, Ronald Stewart Jr., Shonia Pollard, Bridgett Stewart-Proctor, Sean Marshall, Alan Cooley, Jeri J. Marshall, Darryl Marshall, Shelley Marshall, Catherine Amber Clark, Cassie Lamar Marshall and Jordan Lewis Marshall; 8 great-grand children and 8 great-great grands; two daughters-in-law, Betty Smith Marshall , Joy Marshall, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances. Additionally, George is survived by 2 brothers-in-law, Bishop Royce Woods and Thomas Woods, one sister-in-law Odessa Woods Garris, and several of the original members of the Holy Scripture Church of Christ family.

George was proceeded in death by his wife Adele Marshall, 2 sons Jeremiah & David, 1 grandson Jeremiah Jr., 6 brothers Carrol, Bradford, Benjamin, Joseph, Clarence & Charles, 4 sisters Alice, Mozelle, Josephine and Dorothea, as well as the saints who were members of the Holy Scripture Church of Christ.

He will be missed!