Larry Clinton Marable

In Loving Memory of...

Larry Clinton Marable

Larry was born in South Boston, VA, and spent his early childhood in the small, rural community of Sutherlin, VA, where he lived until the age of nine. After his mother remarried, he and his two brothers moved with her to White Plains, NY, and later to Mount Vernon, NY.

Larry was never one to live life quietly or within the lines. He was strong-willed, determined, and rarely took “no” for an answer. His encounter with Christ transformed his life, but it never took away the boldness and conviction that made him uniquely Larry—qualities that carried over into his ministry. If you knew Larry, you knew he loved to witness. Sharing his testimony and telling people about Jesus was his passion. He was unwavering in his approach, never missing an opportunity to share the message of salvation. More often than not, these encounters would end with someone praying the sinner’s prayer. Larry had a way of making sure you heard about Jesus. He was not easily deterred by a “no.”

Larry’s testimony was one of dramatic deliverance from heroin, other drugs, and alcohol. He went from attending debutante balls to sleeping on park benches and rooftops throughout NYC. Despite coming from an upper-middle-class family in the suburbs, addiction had become his way of life. But his story did not end there. He would later accept Jesus as his Savior, marry, raise a family, become an ordained minister, and establish a career as a professional chemical dependency counselor.

After graduating from high school, Larry joined the United States Marine Corps in 1968 and served in Vietnam as a mortar man. He earned a Purple Heart and lived with the physical, mental, and emotional scars of his service for the remainder of his life. Following his discharge, Larry spent several years in various programs working to put his life back together. In 1975, while attending a two-year drug and alcohol treatment program near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Larry’s best friend, who had become a Christian and had been delivered from drugs and alcohol himself, shared with Larry what Jesus had done in his life and prayed with him to receive Christ. Larry accepted Christ as his Savior and never looked back. He was known for saying, “I got a high on Jesus that won’t ever come down.”

Under the guidance of the late Pastor Paul T. Veney of Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ (GT), Larry was discipled and learned a new way of living. He traveled from Harrisburg to Philadelphia every Saturday to participate in street evangelism outreach with Deliverance Evangelistic Church. He later played an influential role in establishing an evangelism outreach at GT and connecting the church with the nondenominational Deliverance Evangelistic organization.

In February 1979, Larry married his outreach partner, Joyce, and together they began building a family and a life of ministry. Larry became assistant pastor at GT, earned a master’s degree in Human Services in 1982, and dedicated a significant portion of his life to serving others as a professional drug and alcohol counselor. In 1985, Larry accepted a counseling position at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lancaster, PA. In 1990, he transitioned into the role of director at Arbor Place, a community center founded by the Mennonites and associated with South Christian Street Mennonite Church, an inner-city, multicultural, progressive congregation. There, Larry continued his commitment to helping individuals and families whose lives had been affected by addiction and other challenges.

In 1996, Larry relocated his family to the Dallas, TX, area after being referred to establish Transformation Ministries, a drug and alcohol program for The Potter’s House Church under the leadership of Bishop T. D. Jakes. During his time at The Potter’s House, Larry also established an evangelism outreach called Acts 2000 and traveled with Bishop Jakes, serving as the altar worker coordinator for conferences. Larry faithfully served at The Potter’s House for ten years.

In 2008, Larry and Joyce became members of Crossroads of Life Church in Duncanville, TX. During his time there, he taught an evangelism class, participated in door-to-door outreach in the church neighborhood, ministered to the homeless in downtown Dallas, and served as an altar worker.

Larry loved Teen Challenge. He volunteered his counseling services in both Pennsylvania and Texas. Larry was affectionately known as the “Praise the Lord, Brother” in the early years of his conversion. He continued throughout his life to speak words of encouragement into the lives of his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. He remained an encourager until the end.

Larry leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 47 years, Joyce M. Marable (Scott); five children, Michael Harris, Larry Clinton Marable, Jr. (Clint), Laria Joy Marable, Maurice Curtis Marable, and Sharita Rose Marable; five grandchildren, Paris Marable, Anthony McKnight, Ryce Evans, Jaeda Helire-Marable, and Kinsley Marable; his mother, Maude Glaze; his stepmother, Grace Marable; three brothers, Lawrence Marable (Mary Marable), Marvin Marable, and David Marable; and two sisters, Ticora Marable and Earlissa Marable. He also leaves to mourn him four nephews, six nieces, and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on November 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at Crossroads of Life Assembly of God, 123 W Hwy 67, Duncanville, TX 75137.