Mrs. Essie Lee Marshall

Essie Lee Marshall (Hunnicutt) Essie was the oldest grandchild and the oldest great-great grandchild of the Hunnicutt and Douglas Family of Marlin, (Falls County) Texas. She was raised in the home of her grandparents, Arthur and Dora Douglas Hunnicutt along with two of her siblings. Her mother was Effie Mae Bookman. Essie’s intelligence was recognized by the members of the Shady Grove Baptist Church when she was very young. She was known as a really good speaker at the tender age of two when she was a participant in Sunday School and Easter and Christmas programs. She started school at four years old and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Marlin, Texas, as an honor student in 1958. She was known as a fierce debater and won awards in the state-wide Prairie View A&M University Interscholastic League (Texas UIL). Essie was also a leading cheerleader and sang in the school choir. She excelled in typing where her performance was 75 to 80 words per minute. She attended Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. From sixth grade through high school, Essie served her community as a member of the 4-H Club. She became the president of the Shady Grove Community 4-H Club, where she developed her leadership skills. These skills helped her to become the President of the 4-H Council for Falls County, Texas. The group consisted of the officers and leaders from communities around the county. Her parliamentary skills were recognized by the agents of Falls County as well as other counties in Texas. Because of her leadership skills, Essie was one of two leaders selected to represent the state of Texas in Washington D.C. She won monetary awards for her sewing, cooking, and gardening skills. Later, she started a 4-H chapter in Milwaukee known as the Palmer Street BeeGees. They were known for exceptional skills with arts and crafts, cooking and canning, sewing and crocheting, and the building of a one-man Everglades Air Boat, all of which received Grand Champion status! All of these skills served as foundational when she and her sister, Betty helped to rebuild the home of their grandfather after a fire destroyed it. Essie married her classmate and high school sweetheart, Barnette Marshall in 1961. They moved to Milwaukee to start their family and careers. To this union three children were born; Dora, Rodney, and Chandra. Barnette had a distinguished career in building construction and together they established their rental company, B.E.R.C Rentals which created affordable housing for Milwaukee residents for over 40 years. During this time, Essie established her own career as a social worker for Milwaukee County where she served clients in halfway houses throughout Milwaukee until her retirement. She traveled throughout Europe, Mexico and Canada with family and friends. She loved fishing and camping at lakes and rivers throughout the country. She always said, “When you are tired of being in a spot fishing and camping you can always move for a change of scenery”. Some of her favorite places were Big Bend, Mackinac Island, the bullhead hole in New London, and the back waters of the Mississippi River. Oh, and she was a devoted Green Bay Packer fan! Go, Pack, Go! Education was always important to her. She encouraged all of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to pursue educational excellence. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barnette, two daughters, Dora Lenette Marshall, and Chandra Renee Marshall-Fonge, two sisters and two brothers, as well as her mother and grandparents. Left to cherish her memory are her devoted son, Rodney Marshall (Sharron), Snowden Sims (Melinda) who is related as a son; grandchildren, Ayanna Marshall, Kazia Washington (Stewart), Zonea Grant, Imani Marshall, Zarea Barber (Mark), Nya Marshall, and Miles Marshall; great-grandchildren Krystal Washington, Xavier Grant, Jeriya Washington and Pharra Washington; sisters, Betty Glover, Edna Adams(Willie); brother, Arthur Bookman (Loretta); nieces, Stephanie Smith, Nirvana Willis, Samantha Feldman(Nate); nephews, Troy Pettiway (Angela) and Anthony Bookman (Elizabeth); cousins, Wanda Matthews (Ronnie), Jimi Lynn(Angetta) and Marie related as a sister, and a host of others. Grandmother Tribute Your presence still fills spaces between our days – softly, powerfully, always. We carry your laughter, your lessons, and your love with us, and today we pause to celebrate the gift of your life. You are deeply honored and remembered with so much joy. We love you! “A bushel and a peck”.

Mrs. Essie Lee Marshall

May 23, 1941 - April 1, 2025