Jolly Lee Marshall, age 90, went home to be with the Lord on April 7, 2023.

JOLLY LEE MARSHALL, our matriarch and the love of our life was born in Bolivar County, Mississippi on October 14, 1932, to the parentage of Lottie Mae and Randolph McElroy, Sr.  Jolly’s memories of life in Mississippi included being surrounded by a large loving extended family; walking from Cleveland, Mississippi to Renova, Mississippi to spend weekends and summers with her beloved grandparents; accepting Christ as her Savior at an early age; and being baptized in a river known for having a lot of snakes. During Jolly’s years in Mississippi, she joined Methodist and Baptist churches.

Along with her mother and oldest sister (Martha), Jolly moved from Cleveland, Mississippi to Cleveland, Ohio when she was 12 years old (no need to learn how to spell the name of her new city).  Upon arriving in Cleveland, Ohio she attended Fairmount Junior High School.  Jolly would often share stories about being one of the two Black students in her junior high school’s choir and sharing the same home room as comedian Bob Hope and track legend Jesse Owens; of course, both attended Fairmount Junior High many years prior to her attending.   Jolly was a member of a couple of Cleveland area churches before joining Second New Hope Baptist Church in 1959; where she was a faithful member for 47 years.

In 2006, Jolly moved to Texas to live with her daughter (Karen).  Continuing her walk with the Lord, she joined St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX.  In Texas she continued her love of preparing scrumptious holiday meals and introducing her extended family and friends to her world famous “Mud Hens”.  In 2013, when her daughter relocated for a job in Maryland, Jolly moved with her and became a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Frederick, MD.

In addition to enjoying time with family and friends, Jolly was astute about political and social issues; loved to travel (albeit ground travel only); and had a great appreciation for different genres of music.  She especially enjoyed going to jazz festivals, especially if they were held outdoors.

Jolly touched the lives of many with her generosity, passion for life, willingness to listen and not be judgmental, and always offering encouragement and support.  She was truly our “Queen Mother”.

Jolly transitioned to her heavenly home on Friday, April 7, 2023 (Good Friday).  She is preceded in death by her parents, son Charles F. Stubbs III, siblings Martha Gordon, Marilyn Seay, Randolph McElroy Jr., and Arleen Johnson, grandson Duran Marshall and former husbands Charles F. Stubbs II and Nathaniel Marshall Sr.

She leaves to cherish fond memories her beloved children, Christine Marshall, Nathaniel Marshall Jr. (Lolita), Karen Marshall, and Carman Marshall; 10 grandchildren, and 19 great- grandchildren.  Jolly also leaves behind siblings, Elizabeth Palmer, Carl McElroy, Tammy Nzegge, Christopher Ayers, and Sandra Ann Seay; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and unofficial adopted children throughout the country.