Carlton Wendell Marshall, Sr

Carlton W. Marshall, Sr., a local police dispatcher, retired veteran, and Raeford, NC resident, transitioned unexpectedly on September 26, 2022 at the age of 71 while on sabbatical in York, PA.

Carlton is survived by his wife, Maria Magdalena Marshall; his living children, NaShawna Marshall, Cherre Marshall,  Jeanette Sanders, Vanessa McCormick, and Carlton W. Marshall Jr. He was preceded in death by his loving young daughter Carla Maria Marshall.

Carlton W. Marshall Sr. was born in Pokomoke City, MD on January 8, 1951 to Carlton R. Marshall and Dorothea L. Copes. He graduated from Salem High School in 1969 where he joined the Men’s Wrestling team and became a champion wrestler. He went on to attend Atlantic Community College and graduated in 1972 with an associate’s degree in science. While attending school there, he competed with the Men’s Wrestling team. In 1974, Carlton returned to school attending American University where he would go on to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. He would go on to join the Men’s Wrestling team while at UA, as well as joining the Men’s Diving team.

After completing college, Carlton worked for two seasons as an Assistant Coach for the Football and Men’s Wrestling teams and one season with the Women’s Gymnastics team at Hayfield High School in Alexandria, VA. He coached there from 1974-1976. From there, Carlton would become one of the first African American coaches to Head the Men’s Wrestling team in Alexandria, VA. He coached for Groveton High School, which is now known as West Potomac High School coaching from 1977-1981. He was also the Assistant Head Coach for Men’s Football for four seasons.

Carlton entered the United States Army on March 9, 1982. Carlton married his beloved wife on November 17, 1983 in Fairfax County, VA. He served with the U.S. Army for 20 years. While serving he would become an NBC Enlisted Chemical Officer Specialist. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, served in the Joint Task Force in 1991-1992, and Operation Desert Storm. He toured Panama, Germany, Korea, and Somalia. He Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Army on May 14th, 2000. However, Carlton never really retired. He would go on to work in security and eventually work for the VA Hospital as a police dispatcher. His hobbies would include fishing, watching his favorite sports teams, traveling to see family and friends, and serving in his local church.

Carlton’s memory will be carried on through his surviving family members: his four brothers, Walter “Buck” Copes, Willard Copes, Edward Copes, and Charles Stevenson. His four sisters, Crystalle Sorrell, Kym Brown, Linda Nichols, and Beverly Stevenson. One aunt, Elizabeth Marshall, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Sarah Marshall and his brothers Michael Marshall and Navy Rollie.

Visitation: Monday, October 10th, 2022 from 6-8pm at Jernigan Warren Funeral Home.

Funeral: Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 at 11am in New Life Bible Church 1420 Hoke Loop Road

Interment with Full Military Honors: Tuesday October 11th, 2022 at 2pm in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301.

Online condolences may be made to www.jerniganwarren.com.

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