Obituary of Elvera Neal Marshall

Elvera Neal Marshall was born June 21, 1939, in the Hunters Bend Community, a rural setting 9 miles from Austin on FM 969. The 4th child of Willis and Ima Neal, she attended the Hornsby Dunlap Primary School and L.C. Anderson High School. She furthered her education at Austin Community College, and Huston Tillotson College, majoring in Child Development. Elvera had a zest for learning, evident in her many earned certifications throughout her life. Elvera was a gifted orator who was not ashamed of sharing her faith with anyone, anytime, or anywhere. She was a faithful member of St. Elmo Baptist Church of Hunters Bend; St. James Baptist Church of Austin; Greater Love Baptist Church of Austin; St. John Baptist Church of Grand Prairie; Tabernacle of Praise Baptist Church of Dallas; New Morning Star Baptist Church of Saint Maurice Community, Louisiana; and New Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church of Dallas where she remained until she was called home at 4:51 p.m. on January 19, 2018. She was preceded in death by her father, Willis Neal; mother, Ima Neal; son, Daryl Marshall; and brothers, Willis Jr., Grover Sr., James, Carl and Curtiss. Elvera left a legacy of being a loving mother, tenacious grandmother, hard worker, devoted Christian, and spiritual motivator with a kind and warm smile. She believed in working to receive an honest day’s pay, demonstrated by her ownership of several small enterprises. One of her small businesses was that she was a talented and skilled seamstress and fashion designer. She would suit up the entire family in addition to her list of clients! She could look at a person and sew them a one of a kind outfit. We considered her our very own Fashionista! When Elvera did seek outside employment, she enjoyed jobs that allowed her to socialize and tell people about the Lord she served. Elvera held multiple jobs to include: Foley’s, H.E.B., Capitol Metro (retired) and Ascension Communications, but her most rewarding positions were working with kids and families at Child Inc. Foster Grandparents and Headstart of Dallas. When not working, she relished in several volunteer opportunities throughout Texas and Louisiana. She left a lasting impression on so many lives by either a spoken word, maybe a prayer, or warm hug, or perhaps her infectious smile… Elvera married Alcie Marshall, her high school sweetheart, and to this beautiful union, they were blessed with six children. She was a dedicated mother who played an active role in the lives of Don Marshall of San Antonio, Chandra Marshall-Henson (Perro) of Dallas, Daryl Marshall of Austin, Terri Marshall-Phillips (William) of Louisiana, Eric Marshall (Janet) of Pflugerville and Kenneth Marshall (Barbara) of Irving. Her son, Daryl, awaits her arrival in Heaven. She also has had a major impact on her grandchildren’s lives – Charlene, Teandra, Teri, Marcus, Arissia, Charlton, Christopher, Champion, KiAnna, Special, Eric, Kinsley and host of great grandchildren. Elvera is also survived by brother, Sylvester Neal; sisters, Faye Perry, Ima Jones and Bobbie Neal; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Lord, when you looked upon the earth in search of the most beautiful rose, you chose our mother on January 19, 2018. We are not mad or angry with you, God, because we would have picked her, too! Rest in peace, God’s faithful servant for a job well done!