TOMMY FRANCIS MARSHALL

 The following bio was taken from page 299 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

 Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of Texas

Tommy and I, Edna Estelle, graduated from high school at Urania, Louisiana, May 1931.  He came to Rusk County in East Texas where prospects for a job were good because of the discovery of oil.  The years of the Great Depression were in full swing and jobs were not easy to find.  Tommy grew up in the oilfields of Louisiana, so he tried for a job with Hunt Oil Company at Wright City and was hired.  He worked for five months; then, on November 22, 1931, we were married in Tullos, Louisiana.  Reverend C. E. Autry performed the ceremony.

 Tommy’s parents were William Penick, who died June 15, 1957, and Zora Marshall, who died October 13, 1954.  He has one sister and one brother living.  My parents are Reverend E. O. Brackman, who died February 21, 1970 and Eula Mae Brackman.  I have one sister and two brothers living.

 We began our married life in Joinerville.  The next several years were filled with many new experiences.  We felt completely at home in Texas where we purchased our first home and first car, became charter members of Turnertown Baptist Church, and started our family. 

 On April 12, 1937, our first son, Tommy Wayne was born.  He graduated from Gaston High School in 1955, from Baylor University in 1959, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1966.  His three sons – Michael, David, and Paul – were all born in Texas.  Tommy pastored Baptist churches until 1974.  He now works as a Supervisor in Child Protective Services for the Texas State Department of Human Resources and lives in Henderson.  In 1980 he completed a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

 On April 21, 1945, our second son, Jerry Francis, was born.  He graduated from Gaston High School in 1963 and from North Texas State University in 1968.  He enlisted in the Navy in 1968.   At the end of boot camp he received two commendations:  Honorman of Company 205 and Academic Award.  He spent two years in Rota, Spain, and toured parts of Europe while there.  He was discharged in 1971.  After teaching and working as a potter in New York City for several years, he now has his studio in Jersey City, New Jersey.

 Our family was involved with school and church in our community.  Tommy’s opportunities with Hunt Oil Company improved each year and promotions came regularly.  In 1942 he was promoted to gang-pusher; in 1945, construction superintendent; in 1954, assistant superintendent of East Texas field, a position he held until retirement in 1975.  Because of his experience, he was retained as a consultant by Hunt Oil Company and has now completed fifty years with the company.  We moved to 110 Regent Street, Henderson, on December 18, 1965 and became involved with new friends and activities of Trinity Baptist Church.

 Our fifty years in Texas was climaxed November 22, 1981, with our fiftieth wedding anniversary.  We celebrated this milestone in our lives with a reception given by friends at Trinity Baptist Church and our sons, Tommy Wayne and Jerry.

 Submitted by Estelle Marshall