Arlene Marshall

Born in Pembroke, Georgia, to the late Elder Charles and Mother Cleo Rawls Stewart, Arlene grew up in Savannah, Georgia, and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She later moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she was crowned Miss 8th Grade at South Fulton County Schools.

As a senior in high school, Arlene received a scholarship to play basketball before the enactment of the landmark federal civil rights law, Title IX. She played shooting guard at Lewis and Clark College, where she excelled as a top-scoring collegiate athlete. After earning her B.S. in Biology, she began her career as a pharmaceutical representative with Geigy Pharmaceuticals, which later became Novartis.

Despite the demands of corporate travel and a busy schedule, Arlene embraced life with zest. She experienced the magic of the original The Wiz live on Broadway, dined at the iconic Tavern on the Green, and even visited the legendary Studio 54.

In 1979, she joined Emmanuel Temple Church through her college friend Sue Menefee and became a lifelong member. During her years at Emmanuel, Arlene served in numerous roles, including Vacation Bible School Teacher, Women’s Department Cabinet Member, Jumpstart Prayer Facilitator, Mowcadah Academy Advisor, Assistant Tribe Leader, and Dean of the A.L. Hardy Academy-Portland Extension.

In the late 1970s, Dr. John D. Marshall, one of the physicians she worked with as a pharmaceutical representative, introduced her to his son, Paul A. Marshall, who was also studying biology. Arlene met Paul in March 1980, and a year later, they were married at Emmanuel Temple Church. Together, they welcomed four children: Stacey Marie, Charlotte Anne, Lindsay Imani, and Paul Andrew II.

Arlene dedicated more than 15 years to being a full-time mother and wife. When she eventually returned to the workforce, she resumed her pharmaceutical career before pivoting to her lifelong dream of becoming an educator. After years of navigating Portland Public Schools as a devoted parent, she earned her Master’s in Education from Portland State University and began advocating for students.

Her teaching career spanned several schools, including Gladstone High School, Reynolds High School, Benson High School, Hayhurst Elementary School, SEI, and McDaniel High School (formerly Madison). Arlene’s work impacted students across Oregon, leaving a profound educational legacy.

Arlene Marshall was the epitome of a phenomenal woman. Known for her unwavering love of family and steadfast commitment to Christian values, she was truly one of a kind.

She is preceded in death by her parents (Charles Sr. and Cleo), four siblings (Charles Jr., Joseph, Gloria Ann, and Johnny), and her beloved husband, Paul. Her legacy lives on through her four children, two grandchildren (Marshall and Lillian), five godchildren (James Winfield, William Hunter, Isaac Shepard, Brooklyn, and Solomon Terry), a brother (Bishop Marion Stewart and wife Mae Stewart), and a sister (Evang. Dorothy Brown and husband Robert) a host of nephews, nieces, and the hundreds of students whose lives she touched.

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