Marion Lee Everett

Marion Lee Everett, Jr. was born on September 24, 1949, to his parents, Ethel Mae Jones, and Marion Lee Everett, Sr., in Orlando, Florida. He was raised by his grandmother, Lorine Wright, whom he cherished and loved dearly. He was born a sickly child and had to undergo many surgeries at a young age. He was not expected to live to be thirteen years old, but God had other plans for his life.

Marion received his formal education from Jones High School in Orlando, Florida, a school within the Orange County Public Schools District, well known for its academics and accomplishments. During Marion’s time at Jones High School, its dress code fostered an appreciation for polished and exemplary appearance, a standard he upheld throughout his life. At Jones High School, Marion excelled in woodwork and cabinetry classes, mastering skills that he would go on to use extensively as an adult. In addition to his talents in craftsmanship, he taught himself barbering during high school, using it as a way to earn money. His skills were so exceptional that the local barbershop owner would invite him to help cut hair whenever the shop was busy. This technique was one of many talents he passed down to his sons, and are skills they continue to use today.

After graduating from high school, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles for a short period of time. He then attended dental technology school in California and was certified as a Dental Technician. He worked in the dental field, casting gold and waxing crowns, in several cities, including Austin, Texas. He was even offered a lucrative job opportunity in Aruba, but he declined it.

As a young man, Marion began to experience many things in life and soon became tired of the sinful life he was living. The testimony he shared with many was that he was known well and hung out with famous people, those of status. After developing relationships with them he thought and asked God - What does it take to make it in life? Because he saw there was more to it than money and fame, he wanted to make his peace with God. He was on a search for the truth but could not trust anyone. He encountered the spiritual world and was moved by a great fear of both God and the devil. As he traveled the world and lived in various major cities, his eyes became more open to the sinfulness of the world. At his wits end and wanting some peace, different thoughts came to his mind about where he could go. Eventually a voice whispered a name, “Martin”, and “Austin”, and he boarded a plane for the hometown of his sister, Patricia, and brother-in-law, Martin. Marion finally found the truth and made a dramatic transformation that changed the course of his life. After hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached by the late, Bishop Roland James Allen on April 22, 1979, Marion accepted the Lord as his personal savior and began a new walk in Christ; he continued to live for Christ under Bishop Eddie E. Willis, Sr.

On March 7, 1980, Marion was united in holy matrimony to Andrea Kay Winn. He was a wonderful husbandman to his wife of 43 years. To this union, four miracle children were born: Andrea, Marchelle, Marion Lewis and Phillip. Marion captured the hearts of his wife’s two sons from a previous marriage, George and Paul. Later, they also gained a daughter in Courtney, whom they loved and cherished as their own. His desire was to have a large family, and that was exactly what God gave him. He was so pleased to have a family of mixed nations - a flower garden family. He created a personal relationship with each of his children and grandchildren, and they each hold onto those memories today. Marion was a man who loved God and had a beautiful testimony of how God changed his life. His New Covenant Church family looked forward to hearing him testify of how God watched over him while he lived a sinful life. He was a man of great faith and patience. He was faithful to the service of the Lord and lifted up his voice to sing as a soloist, praise group member, and in the New Covenant Church choirs.

Marion Lee Everett, Jr. had many skills and talents, including singing, song writing, cello and piano, and carpentry, to name a few. Marion worked for Austin’s Old Timer Clock and Watch Repair for many years as a clock and watch repairman, even fixing clocks for dignitaries such as former President George W. Bush, then Governor for the state of Texas. He used his artistic ability to help design and create the stained-glass windows at the front of the New Covenant Church. He was a dedicated Deacon ordained under the late, Bishop Roland James Allen, and served faithfully through his last days under Pastor and Bishop Eddie E. Willis, Sr. He held many positions in the New Covenant Church: he was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Ordination Council, the head program coordinator, and a teacher of the new Babes in Christ.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Lorine Wright; his father, Marion Lee Everett, Sr., his stepfather, John Pettiford, Sr.; his brothers, Glynn Pettiford, and Vincent Pettiford; his sisters, Cassandra Whitmore, and Turria English; and his grandson, Eric DeSean Rogers.

Brother Marion Lee Everett, Jr. entered into eternal rest on January 17, 2025.

He will be best remembered for his "love, friendship and hospitality" to all who knew him. All who met him loved him and became a personal friend. On his last day on earth, his Lord and Savior called him, and he answered the call. He said, “Yes Lord”. (I am now ready!)

He leaves precious memories of his life, to have and to hold, to HIS BELOVED WIFE, ANDREA WINN EVERETT; HIS CHILDREN: Andrea Everett Smith (Richard Smith, Sr.), Marchelle Esteban (Luis Esteban), Marion Lewis Everett, Phillip Allen Everett (Jennifer Everett), George O’Neil Rogers, Paul Gavin Rogers (Rose Rogers), and Courtney Willis (Eddie Willis, Jr.);HIS GRAND-CHILDREN: Richard Smith, Jr., Maximilian Smith, Kamille Featherson, Kaleb Featherson, Jonathan Esteban, David Esteban, Jaxon Everett, Jonathan Everett, Monique Rogers, Briece Rogers, Paul Rogers, Jr., Keyara Rogers, Tanaya Rogers, Jeran Rogers, Nathalie Willis, Cydney Willis, and Eddie “Trey” Willis, III; HIS MOTHER: Ethel Mae Pettiford; HIS BROTHERS: Willie Whitmore of NJ, Gregory (Laverne) Pettiford of FL, Jeffrey (Angela) Pettiford of NJ, John Pettiford, Jr. of NJ, and Victor (Kimberly) Pettiford of NJ; HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW: Grover (Ida) Barton of TX; HIS SISTERS: Patricia Wilford of TX, Pamela (Alexander) Chaney of TX, Miriel Sheely of GA, and Miyoshi Everett of GA; AND A HOST OF: aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, relatives, co-workers, friends, and Pastor Eddie E. Willis, Sr. and his New Covenant Church family.