Velma Demaris Marlin

Velma Demaris Marlin was born on November 30, 1945, to Chester Holloway and Charity Carroll Coward in Delhi, Louisiana. Velma was the seventh child out of eight siblings. While attending Southern University, she defied traditional odds and pursued a bachelor’s degree in accounting instead of education. Within days of graduation, she was employed by Texaco Oil in Houston, Texas and passed the exam to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) a few years later.

Velma used her business acumen and departed the Oil and Gas industry to join the non-profit sector. She began working in administration for various organizations and retired from TBN Channel 14 in 2006. She was dedicated to her church and served in the marriage ministry and the Stephen ministry for decades. She attended Lakewood Church for many years and most recently joined Braeswood Assembly of God Church. Velma had a wonderful motherly spirit, which led many to affectionately adopt her as “mother”. Her smile changed a room, her words of wisdom changed circumstances and her walk with Jesus and her testimony of His goodness changed lives.

She was married to James Edwin Marlin, Sr. on August 4, 1984, whom she loved. Velma and James had a blended family of five children. Her children and grandchildren were enriched by her wisdom, her example of unconditional love, unceasing prayers and her spirit of excellence.

Velma departed this life at 9:53 a.m., September 30, 2023, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Her family’s sole peace is in knowing that she is present and rejoicing with the Lord. She has now joined her father, mother, brothers Arthur Wilson, Charlie Coward, Otha Coward; sisters Earline Shelley and Alma Dee Coward, who preceded her in death.

Velma leaves behind to cherish her memory, her loving husband, James E. Marlin and her siblings, Edward Coward and Ester Coward Garrett. Velma believed and said children were a gift from God and she felt abundantly blessed to have three daughters, Chariti Monique Peters, Ollieta Demaris Nicholas (Yohance) and Erica Marlin Perry and two sons, Samuel Lester Demaris, III. and James E. Marlin, Jr. (Sonya). Her blessings were doubled with the gift of ten grandchildren, Phillip, Ashlyn, James III, Autumn, Samantha, Hannah, Solomon, Olivia, Arianna, and Lark and three great-grandchildren, Riley, Marley, and Brielle as well as a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.

Velma Demaris Marlin will be missed but her legacy will carry on for generations to come.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 20 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood Road in Stafford.

Friends are invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Velma during a reception to be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20, in the event room at Earthman Southwest Funeral home.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Braeswood Assembly of God Church, 10611 Fondren Road in Houston, immediately followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m.

The interment will follow, via funeral procession to Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with her family at www.earthmansouthwest.com.