( May 28, 1942-- July 26, 2026)

TYLER--Services for Elder Marlin Lavell Beal Sr. will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 12 noon at North Star Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. Bishop Melton R. Timmons will be officiating and Bishop Nelson J. Gatlin will be the eulogist. Interment will follow at the Saint Violet Cemetery under the direction on John R. Harmon Undertaking Company.

Elder Beal was born to the parentage of the late Theodore Roosevelt and Emmer Lee Beal on May 28, 1942. He attended Jackson High school and served seven years in the United States Army. Elder Beal married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Hazel Van on March 18, 1961 and to this union five children were born.

The family were members of Starrville Church of God where he sang in the choir. He later received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at Oak Grove COGIC. It was here that God called him to preach. Later the family became members of Evangelist Temple COGIC in Canton, Texas. They remained faithful until God told him to build a church. In obedience to God, he became the founder, builder and Pastor of St. Titus Gospel of Christ GOGIC which was dedicated to the Lord in June 1984. The Church motto is: “Reaching Out To Help Others”.

Elder Beal was a loving man of God and leaves a legacy of faithfulness to the calling and work God called him to do. Elder Beal served as Chairman of the Pastors and Elders Council in Texas Northeast Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction under the leadership of Bishop David R. Houston until his demise.

Elder Beal was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael; brothers: Grady and J.W.; sisters Patric, Verta, Velma and Elenora.

He leaves to cherish his legacy, his loving wife Ruth Hazel of 65 years; daughter Velyncia Sirls (Dwight) of Tyler; three sons: Elder Gregory Beal (Phyllis) and Marlin Beal II of Tyler, Texas and Derrick Beal (Tonya) of Desoto, Texas; one godson: Jaun-Erick Timmons of The Colony; nice grandchildren, twenty great-granchildren; one great great grandson; sister Rubye Beal, Tyler, Texas; brothers: Danny Beal of Tyler, Texas and Theordore R. Beal Jr (Luella) of Denver, CO; nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephew and a host of other relatives, church family and friends.

Public viewing will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 2 pm to 5 pm at John R. Harmon Undertaking Company at 6 pm to 8 pm at St. Titus Gospel of Christ COGIC.