Joseph Marchant, Sr.

Joseph Marchant Sr. went to be with his Lord on July 18, 2025, at the age of 92 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was born on September 12, 1932, in Rosinville, South Carolina, to Joe and Mary Marchant, one of 15 children. After high school he served his country in the Korean War and graduated college from Clemson University.

His life is best defined by his faith in his Lord, Jesus Christ. That faith bore fruit in his service to his fellow man as a leader of young men, over 60 years as a biblical studies teacher, deacon and then as a pastor of Canadys First, Baptist Church of Canadys, South Carolina. He continued that service at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as a Life Group leader and in service to various ministries both in and outside the church.

In addition to his ministry Joe was an exemplary husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Upon graduation from Clemson he worked in electronics at the Charleston Naval Yard. After several years he worked for the US Government in quality assurance. Quality assurance became his career and he held several positions including supervisor for government contracts in Europe before transferring into a supervisory role in quality at the Redstone Arsenal. He retired from the Redstone Arsenal.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marion Rebecca, daughter Tammy Rebecca Hall (Keel), and infant Mary Hall. Joe is lovingly remembered by his children, Ricky Marchant (Lanelle), and Joe Marchant, Jr. (Shelley); his grandchildren Kyle Hall, Nicholas Hall, Caroline Hall, Madalyn McDonald (Andrew), Emily Marchant, Daniel Marchant (Kimberly), and Julia Edmondson (Joseph); his great grandchildren Emory Dalton, Mercy Saunders, Beatrice Hall, Ava and Penelope Marchant, Charlotte Daniel and Hadley, Sydney, and Liam Edmondson. Joe is also survived by sisters Josephine Funderburk, Rhetta May Adams, Margaret Thompson, Thelma Pitts; brother Herman Marchant and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Jesus said in Matthew, “Well done my good and faithful servant”, a statement that highlights our father’s life journey. He leaves behind a legacy of love, respect, honesty, hard work, determination, empathy, laughter, gentleness, faith, hope….he leaves behind a family that stands on his shoulders. At the same time he joins that part of his family who has gone on ahead of him. Great rejoicing there will be in heaven upon his arrival. We will miss him but will rejoice with him when our journey here is over…

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning, July 23, 2025, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro.   Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Augusta Highway, Canadys.

The family will receive friends prior to the funeral ceremony beginning at 10 o’clock that morning at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.  Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.