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Obituary for The Rt. Rev. Alfred Clark "Chip" Marble Jr.
“There is joy in everything.” This is the last sentence spoken by the Rt. Rev. A.C. “Chip” Marble, Jr. In the comfort of home and the presence of family, Chip died on March 29, 2017 after several years of declining health.
Chip was born in Oneonta, New York on April 4, 1936 to Alfred Clark Marble and Charlotte Elizabeth Humbarger Marble. The family moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi when Chip was three years old and from that point forward Mississippi was considered home. He graduated from the University of Mississippi and was subsequently commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, serving two years aboard the Destroyer U.S. Hawkins (DDR-873). Following his military service he completed seminary training at the University of the South’s School of Theology.
Chip was ordained as a deacon and later as a priest in The Episcopal Church. He served as curate at St. James’ in Jackson, MS before serving as vicar of missions in Olive Branch and Southaven, MS. He then moved to Oxford, MS where he became the Episcopal chaplain at Ole Miss. While in Oxford he served at Nativity, Water Valley, MS and later as rector of St. Peter’s. Chip was then called to be rector of the Church of the Mediator in Meridian, MS, a move that led to a very special time in his ministry, his personal life and the life of his family. The Rt. Rev. Sid Sanders then called Chip to be assistant to the Bishop in the Diocese of East Carolina. In 1993 he was consecrated the 8th Bishop of the Diocese of Mississippi after serving two years as Bishop Coadjutor. He retired as Diocesan in Mississippi in 2003 and subsequently served as an assisting Bishop in the Diocese of North Carolina.
While Diocesan in Mississippi, Chip gave his support to build a strong diaconal ministry. In 2013 the name of the diaconal training program was changed to The A.C. Marble School for Theological Formation. The School operates out of the Gray Center and in coordination with the Iona Initiative out of the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. It continues to train new generations of vocational deacons and, more recently, transitional deacons, for ministry in the Diocese of Mississippi.
Throughout his life he maintained a passion for civil rights and social justice issues as well as interfaith leadership, racial reconciliation and pastoral care. In North Carolina he most recently helped establish the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the United States in response to the “Greensboro Massacre” which took place on November 3, 1979. Chip was also founding co-chair of Greensboro’s Faith Leaders Council. He worked with the Beloved Community Center in Greensboro as well as the NAACP of North Carolina. He was awarded the Bishop’s Medal in 2014 in recognition of his work on behalf of the poor, immigrants, the LGBT community and all who are disenfranchised. He is survived by his wife Diene Harper, his sons Matt and Jonathan (Laura) Marble. In addition, he is survived by his sister Tanis (Archie) McKay, brothers Dan (Bobbye), Richard (Carol Ann) and Everett (Frances), numerous nieces and nephews including Charlotte, Margaret, Beth and Emily as well as his brother-in-law Lee Harper (Tammy).
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Shirley M. Bruno and her husband Nick.
A semi-private burial service will be held on April 24, 2017 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Bovina, Mississippi with the Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry officiating. On April 25, 2017, the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Meridian, Mississippi will host a Church-wide Requiem and Eucharist at 10:30 a.m., with the Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry as celebrant and preacher.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 5930 Warriors Trail Bovina, MS 39180, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, 3825 35th Avenue Meridian, MS 39305, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro 2500 Summit Avenue Greensboro, NC 27405, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 1300 Jefferson Rd., Greensboro, NC 27410.
On May 1, 2017 at 7 p.m. there will be a community celebration at New Light Missionary Baptist Church, 1105 Willow Road Greensboro, NC 27401. Please join the Marble family in honoring the work and the broad inclusive vision of Chip Marble’s ministry in Greensboro and the Diocese of NC. All faiths and traditions are welcome.
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