Dr. Willie Marvin Gay, 75, of Marietta, transitioned from time to eternity on June 12, 2020.
The Rev. Dr. Willie Marvin Gay, 75, devoted to glorifying and building God’s kingdom here on earth, transitioned from his earthly life to his home in glory on Friday, June 12, 2020 at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton, North Carolina. Dr. Gay was born in Laurinburg, North Carolina to the late Samuel Marvin Gay Jr. and the late Christine Chandler Gay. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Rosetta Gay and Jenerett Gay Glass. Dr. Gay graduated from I. E. Johnson High School in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He continued his educational journey at Richmond Technical Institute, Shaw University-School of Divinity, and Tri-County Bible College where he was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters. Being a reader and teacher of the WORD, he understood that in the end what he did to advance God’s kingdom was most important. With that as his anchor he became a very active member of the Lumber River Baptist Association, he served on the Lumberton Ministerial Alliance, the Robeson County Black Caucus, NAACP, held multiple officer positions in the Lumber River Baptist Association, past president of the Robeson County Union, General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and served on the Lumber River Baptist Association Ministers' Board. Dr. Gay owned and operated Kill-It! Exterminating Company in Lumberton, N.C. Being led by the spirit to preach God’s word he pastored several churches in the Pee Dee Association, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in the Lumber River Baptist Association, and was currently serving as the pastor of Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Lumberton, N.C. He had been the pastor of Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church for the past 22 years. He was a man of great faith and gave his life to Christ at an early age. He was fully committed to God and a dedicated pastor over the members that God placed under his care. His mission in life was to love and care for his fellow man as modeled by Jesus in the gospels. He had a loving, giving spirit that was grounded in the spiritual nurturing of others. Rev. Gay found great joy in blessing others along his life’s journey (he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it).
He leaves to cherish his memory a faithful, loving wife Fonnie Blue Gay, one son, Timothy Gay (Wanda) of Maxton N.C., brothers: James Ervin Gay, Levern Gay of Laurinburg, N.C., sisters: Eva Gay Jefferies (John) of Fayetteville, N.C., Linda Davis (Martin) of Laurinburg, N.C., 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, in-laws: James Blue (Patricia), Roger Blue, Janet Blue, Dr. Judy Blue Goins (Sherman), special aunts: Catherine Peterkin, Bernice Morris, Mae Thelma Williams, Evelyn Gaddy, special uncles; Williams and Jesse Edwards (Faye) and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.
Note: In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church at Post Box 95, Lumberton, N.C. 28359 in his memory. A more extensive memorial for Rev. Dr. Gay will be announced at a later date.
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