Marshall Clary

Major Marshall Blake Clary, Sr., 84, of Lincolnton, was Promoted to Glory on March 27, 2016 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 27, 1931 in Gaston County, to the late J. B. Clary and Tiny Clary Head.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Vickers and his brother, James Clary.

Majors Marshall and Barbara Clary were Commissioned and Ordained at The Salvation Army as Officers in 1956 at the College for Officers Training in Atlanta, Georgia. They served in various appointments in active service for 40 years. Gastonia, North Carolina is the hometown of the Clarys and both were educated in the public schools there. Major Clary is a graduate of International College for Officers in London, England and the Brengle Institute in Chicago. He is a former Protestant Chaplain of the West Virginia Penitentiary and a licensed social worker.

They began their ministry together as corps officers in Moundsville, West Virginia. Later, the family served in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland. In 1964, they were appointed to the Public Relations and Welfare Bureau at the Atlanta City Program in Atlanta, Georgia

In 1966, the family moved to Virginia where the Clarys served as corps officers in Alexandria and later Roanoke and Norfolk. Major Marshall Clary was named Divisional Secretary at the Georgia Divisional Headquarters in 1981 and Major Barbara Clary served as Assistant Divisional Home League Secretary. In subsequent years, the Clarys have served at the Charleston City Command, Tampa Area Command and Charlotte Area Command.

High school sweethearts, the couple married on July 1, 1950. The Clarys have four children: Suzie, Sandy, Marshall, Jr. (Marty), and Mike. They have 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren who are a joy to their hearts.

Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 66 years, Barbara Ward Clary; daughters, Suzanne Stearn (Mike), Sandra Burns (Jim); sons, Marshall Clary, Jr. (Wanda), Mike Clary (Belinda); sister, Edith Clary Reagan; grandchildren, Marsi Hammond and husband Dennis, Victoria Makhlouf and husband Ehab, Richard Blake Hale and wife Ariel, Angela Graves and husband Porter, Eric Burns and wife Colleen, Marshall Blake Clary III, Daniel Clary and wife Melody, Michael Clary, Jr. and wife Erika, Jason Clary, Kristen Luther and husband Dayton; great-grandchildren, Christopher Hammond, Sr. and wife Wilsa, Ahab Makhlauf, Julia Hale, Randol Graves, Jacob Graves, Shane Graves, Eli Graves, Grace Burns, Evan Burns, Andrew Burns, Julia Burns, Hagen Luther, Carson Clary, Bryson Clary; great-great-grandchildren, Christina Hammond, Christopher Hammond, Jr.; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Friday, April 1, 2016 at Sisk-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services, Bessemer City, NC.

His funeral service will be held at 11am Saturday April 2, 2016 at the Salvation Army, Gastonia, NC with the Lt. Colonel Jack T. Waters officiating.

Interment will follow at Westview Gardens, Bessemer City, NC.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, Gastonia, NC.

To offer condolences, please visit www.siskbutler.com
Arrangements by Sisk-Butler Funeral & Cremation Services, Bessemer City.