Marzell Lasseter passed away in Birmingham, Alabama on March 26, 2022, just a few days after celebrating her 98th birthday. Marzell grew up in Dekalb County, but spent most of her life in her beloved home of 67 years in Gadsden, Alabama. A funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at Collier-Butler Chapel. Pastor Brad Mullinax and Associate Pastor Matt Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow at Forrest Cemetery in Gadsden, AL.
Marzell loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She cherished any time she could spend with them. She was devoted to her church, James Memorial Baptist Church, and served it in many capacities: Sunday School Teacher, Director of Children’s Sunday School Department, Director of Discipleship Training, Volunteer Counselor, Outreach Activities, Member of the Homebound Committee and most importantly a member of the choir. She loved singing and sang in the choir beyond the age of 90. She participated in many Easter and Christmas cantatas and dramas over the years. She was known for making banana-pineapple bread or macaroni and cheese to share with members who could no longer attend services and as a thank you for friends who helped her out at times.
Marzell has always been industrious concerning her education, her career and her daily life. After graduating from high school her education continued throughout her life. Every opportunity she had to take classes, she did. She attended Draughon’s Business College in Nashville, Tennessee, University of Alabama Center in Gadsden, Gadsden State Junior College and Jacksonville State University. She obtained a BA in Sociology in 1980 and a Masters in Counseling and Guidance in 1988. She accomplished this while working full time and raising three children. She always encouraged her children and grandchildren to continue their education. She worked 15 years at Baptist Memorial Hospital, 8 years at CED Mental Health Center, 10 years at Jacksonville State University and many other jobs as a teacher and a counselor. The most interesting and unusual job she held was for the War Department at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama as a maker of explosives in 1944.
She was an active member of The Greater Gadsden League of Women Voters and served as an officer and editor of The Vote. She felt it was so important to be informed. She was an avid reader of The Gadsden Times and clipped many articles to share with family and friends. In her spare time she loved working in her yard and garden. One of her favorite things to do was to mow her grass. She often spent time walking in her yard and taking in the beauty.
Marzell was preceded in death by her daughter, Cecilia Clement; her great granddaughter, Ruby Mae Geiger; her parents, Charlie W. and Sadie (Williams) Pope; her siblings, Bonnell Bouldin, Charles Pope, and Billy G. Pope. Marzell leaves behind her children; Lana Lasseter Turner and Chip (Joan) Lasseter; 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and her siblings; Mary Lipham, Louise Green, Elaine (Julian) Black and Joe (Pat) Pope; her sister-in-law, Doci Halsam; and many neices and nephews.
Marzell lived her life with honesty and integrity. Through her family, her work and her church she touched many lives and was an inspiration to all. In 98 years of living she faced adversity and persevered. She gives credit to her faith in Jesus Christ.
The family will accept friends from 1:00PM until the hour of the service at the funeral home on Tuesday.
