MARCUS IVAL MEADE

Marcus Ival Meade, 81, of Coeburn, VA, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, May 8, 2023. His youngest daughter was holding his hand as he took his last breath on this earth and walked through Heaven’s gates.

Marcus (known to the family by his middle name “Ival”) was born in Partridge, KY, to John and Minnie Meade on December 19, 1941. He graduated from Whitesburg High School (KY) in 1961, and married Shirley Trivett Meade in 1963. They were married until her death in June, 2000.

The highest priority in his life was his relationship with Jesus Christ. Marcus accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior at a young age. He was not ashamed of the gospel and he let that be known wherever he went. Marcus believed in the Bible as the infallible Word of God and if he thought your soul might be in trouble, he had a gentle yet firm way of setting you straight. He was passionate about the condition of your soul and where you would spend eternity.

After getting married, the family lived in Aurora, IL, for thirteen years where he was a manager at Georgia-Pacific and then they moved to Coeburn in 1976. He was a master carpenter who could build anything and he himself designed and built his family’s home in Flatwoods. Marcus spent many years serving customers at both Coeburn Lumber and Lowe’s. Customers would specifically ask for him because everyone knew they could count on his expertise. Even after he retired, it was impossible to run in Lowe’s with him “real quick” because, inevitably, someone would see him and ask for his help. Of course, he always obliged.

He attended Flatwoods Freewill Baptist Church for many years where he played guitar and sang in a gospel quartet with Shirley’s sister, Frances Greear and her husband Douglas along with Lloyd Greear. Being in that quartet was one of the great joys of his life. Oh, how he loved to sing! Many years later, he served as the Pastor of Cherry Grove Baptist Church in Crab Orchard but eventually came back to the little white church “down in the holler” where he had put down roots all those years before. He served as the Assistant Pastor there at Flatwoods Freewill Baptist Church until his passing.

Marcus was an honest man whose word was his bond. He carried himself with dignity and believed that if you would just do something right the first time, you wouldn’t have to do it again. His advice was thoughtful and full of wisdom. He always had an extra job at someone’s house either putting down carpet, building a deck, or fixing a roof; he did whatever it took to provide for his family. He loved playing the guitar, listening to bluegrass music, and his favorite gospel group was the Primitive Quartet. He enjoyed singing silly songs with his grandchildren and riding them around on the lawn mower. He started each day with coffee and ginger snaps and appreciated an occasional glass of buttermilk with crumbled cornbread. He was a treasure to all who knew him and he will be missed so very much.

Along with his wife and parents, Marcus was preceded in death by his brother, Darmel Meade and his sister, Eva Joyce McCoy. Left to cherish his loving memory are his children: Aaron Meade and his wife Lora (Coeburn, VA), Anthony Meade (Chicago, IL), Marla Meade (Norton, VA), and Regina Meade Couch and her husband Jessee (Sumter, SC); one sister, Emma Jean Watts (Chavies, KY) and one brother, Claude Meade (Sandwich, IL); eleven grandchildren: Jerryd Meade, Dallas Meade, Cage Meade, Dalton Couch, Makenna Couch, Elijah Couch, Randall Mullis, Austin Mullis, Kadence Mullis, Emmelynn Mullis, and Samira Mullis; one great-granddaughter, Jadelynn Davenport; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023, at Estes Funeral Home in Coeburn, VA. The family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and the funeral service will immediately follow at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Bill Crawford officiating and music provided by The King’s Messengers. On Saturday, May 13, at 11:00 a.m., Marcus will be laid to rest beside his wife, Shirley, at Greenwood Cemetery in Coeburn, VA. Anyone wishing to follow the procession to the cemetery should be at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m.

The family would like to thank the nurses, palliative care team, and staff at Norton Community Hospital as well as the Caris Healthcare hospice professionals for the love, care, and compassion shown to our Dad and our family during Dad’s transition to his eternal home.

An online guest register is available for the Meade family at www.estesfuneralhome.com.

Estes Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Marcus Ival Meade.