On February 27, 1922, a sweet baby girl was born to Joseph Henry and Percy Chadwick Holder in Longbranch, TX. They named her Nelvin Lorene. She was the youngest of four siblings…Velma, Edward, and Royal. They have all gone to be with the Lord. Nelvin attended the Longbranch school and graduated from Carthage High School, which was at that time, the present Baker-Koonce School. She met and married her one and only love, C.B. Marshall, Jr. and they married on September 15, 1942, in Quartzsite, AZ, where he was stationed in the U.S. Army. They later returned to the Snap Community and purchased the Marshall "Home Place", where they made their home. There they raised their four children…Wynell, Jerrilyne, Diane, and Barry. Her total purpose in life was to love and nurture those children and to serve her Lord at her beloved church, Cedar Grove Baptist. She raised her children to love Jesus Christ, to pray, to thank and praise Him each day, and to try their best to be women and men who shared His love. As her children were married and began their families, her undying love for each one was poured out into their lives. They had ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. C.B. and Nell were married 56 years before his passing in August of 1998. Since that time, she has boldly fought physical hardships and continued to love on anyone she was around. That love extended to her faithful dog, Ivan. Mrs. Marshall lived in Panola County most of her life. She loved gardening, cooking, camping, and reading her Bible.

It is difficult to put into words the impact that this little woman had on people. From family to friends, to church family, and strangers, she grabbed hearts very quickly. Her humble and loving spirit, her funny sense of humor, her love of hospitality, and her passion to her last moment was her desire to be with her family. These things will never be forgotten. She changed everyone she met in many positive ways. She became "Mamaw" to countless people. We will always feel her presence with us. Her relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was awesomely revealed even more as He took her to her Heavenly Home on Thursday, October 30, 2008. She was surrounded by her family and her pastor, Bro. Freddy Mason, some friends, and she gloriously went to bask in His presence and reunite with those who have gone before her. She most likely is having a hard time lifting her crowns to lay them at the feet of Jesus. She loved to dance in her younger years…now she is dancing before the Lord.

Nell is survived by her four loving children and their families: Wynell and Bill Steptoe of Carthage and their daughter Stacie Smith and her husband Chris and their children Kaylee and Braden of Carthage; Jerrilyne and Steve Roberson of Longview and their children, Mark and Stephanie Roberson and their children Emily and Hannah of Carthage; Ben and Kristi Roberson and their son Caleb of Longview; Stephanie and Juan Cabra and their children, Wesley and Morgan of Kingwood; Diane and Terry Phillips and their children, Paul Phillips of Ft. Worth, Lauren Phillips of Houston, and Lexi Phillips of Denton; Barry and Leann Marshall of Carthage and their children, Randy and Crystal Marshall of Ft. Worth and Holly and David Bonner of Joaquin and their daughter Halle. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law, Jane Holder of Carthage, Miriam Marshall of Carthage, and numerous nieces and nephews. Another who became like a daughter to her, was her loving caregiver, Yvonne Walker. Preceding her in death were her parents, siblings, her husband, and her first grandson, Keith Steptoe.

Her celebration services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in the Snap Community, with Bro. Freddy Mason officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery. The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers are her grandsons Mark Roberson, Ben Roberson, Juan Cabra, Paul Phillips, Randy Marshall, David Bonner, and Chris Smith. Serving as honorary pallbearers are her nephews Bill Holder, Jim Holder, Danny Marshall, Kent Marshall, Ralph Marshall, Ronny Mabe, Ray (Butch) Marshall, Richard (Dicky) Marshall, and Martin Marshall.

The family wishes to thank Yvonne Walker and other caregivers, Katherine Woodard, Polly Coleman, Renee Wright, and Nellie Payne. We also thank those at ETMC-Carthage and the staff and nurses of Heart's Way Hospice who cared for her lovingly in these last few days and the staff of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. We thank all of you who have supported and prayed for her and who have loved our Mamaw.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Mr. Jerry Morris, 1896 CR 106, Carthage, TX 75633 or the Bethlehem Cemetery Fence Fund, c/o Mrs. Joyce Northcutt, 2204 Green Hills Dr., Kilgore, TX 75662.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 "So we are always confident knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well-pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."