Dr. F. Marlin Connelly Jr.'s Obituary
Dr. Marlin Connelly, Jr., 84, of Nashville, TN, went to be with the Lord on April 10, 2020. He was born in Columbia, TN on April 18, 1935. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marlin and Inez Gidcomb Connelly, and brother, Thomas Lawrence Connelly. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Williamson Connelly, and three children: Philip Marlin Connelly, Pamela Connelly Walker (Daniel), and Andrew William Connelly (Janna). He was loved by his grandchildren Kate Mason (Josh), Victoria Connelly (Matt), Burton Walker (Abby), Shannon Connelly, Drew Connelly, and Will Connelly, and great-grandsons Silas and Levi Mason. He is also survived by his brother, William Edward Connelly.
Marlin graduated from David Lipscomb High School in 1953 and David Lipscomb College in 1957. He relished athletics, running track in high school and playing basketball for his high school and college teams. Later as a professor, Marlin especially enjoyed vigorous basketball competition with his students, nearly reaching his goal of playing until he was 65. His debate team experience in high school steered him to continued debating in college and further work in intercollegiate speech tournaments. His commitment to academic work led to becoming valedictorian of his high school class and salutatorian of his college class. During that time he met the love of his life, Nancy Williamson. They married in 1956, and God blessed them with 63 years of happiness. Marlin often commented, “I made the living, and she made the living worthwhile.” They were a devoted team.
At heart, he was a scholar. He loved learning and effectively communicating what he learned to others. To this end, Marlin earned his Master’s degree in Speech Communication from Temple University in 1964 and his PhD from Ohio State University in 1967. Returning to Nashville, he served at Lipscomb as a professor of Speech Communication from 1967 to 2000, spending 12 of those years as Department Chair and 6 years as the Baxter Chair of Preaching. During his 33-year tenure, Marlin also taught a large freshman Bible class every quarter and coached the college debate team for many years.
This quality of scholarship showed itself in another path he traveled--preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. This became his most cherished work, continuing faithfully for 60 years. He firmly believed that it was not in his own labors, but in the power of the Word, that lives could be molded for the kingdom of God. Marlin served churches of Christ in Georgia, New Jersey, and Ohio, before returning to Nashville to preach 26 years for the Bellevue church of Christ and 10 years for the Hillsboro church of Christ. In both of these congregations he continued to work on staff after retiring from full-time preaching.
From 1972 to 2008, Marlin traveled extensively to the Middle East and to Mediterranean countries, leading groups to the Bible lands, including 25 visits to Israel. It gave him great joy to communicate what he absorbed on those trips to make the scriptures come alive in his preaching and teaching.
Marlin loved to fish. Whether in small ponds, from ocean piers, or on deep-sea charter boats, he never did anything halfway, lining up and ‘minding’ multiple poles. For him, it also provided a distinct opportunity to connect with his fellow fishermen. Another special connection he had was with the young children of the congregation. Conducting a Sunday night ‘Chalk Talk’ time with them before the service, he drew cartoon pictures on a chalkboard to illustrate child-level spiritual truths. Marlin used all avenues to communicate to all ages, encouraging them, in his words, “to learn fully, and live faithfully”.
A private graveside service will be held Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, TN. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to The Marlin and Nancy Connelly Preaching Scholarship at Freed-Hardeman University, World Christian Broadcasting, and Winchester Christian Academy.
Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, a Nashville landmark since 1785 “Where Nashville Comes to Remember”
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