Mr. Thomas Gordon Marbry

Tom was born April 14, 1938, the third child of Ed Gladden and Savannah Lorene Brown Marbry in Memphis, Tennessee. An avid baseball fan with professional aspirations, Tom played youth league baseball for Kemmons Wilson at an early age. He once pitched a no-hitter in a tournament game at the age of 12. His coach urged him to go to Florida for professional tryouts, but his parents could not afford to send him. Instead, Tom started delivering groceries on a bicycle at age 10, and then newspapers at age 12. While working at an ice cream parlor just after graduating from Humes High School, he met and married the love of his life, Hazel Elizabeth “Liz” Marbry. They built a life revolving around hard work, faith, and dear friends. As a young father, Tom accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior and attended Thrifthaven Baptist Church. Together he and Liz raised their two daughters and welcomed four grandchildren to the Memphis area before retiring to the foothills of the Ozarks in Ravenden, Arkansas at the age of 53. There they welcomed two more grandchildren. He passed away on July 8, 2026, after a period of declining health, surrounded by the love of his family.

Tom’s career began at MidSouth Title when he was 17, and he retired as Chief Deputy from Shelby County Register of Deeds Office at age 48. Additionally, he worked part-time as a funeral escort for seven years. He rode his Harley Davidson motorcycle escorting funerals for Fleming Horne and Lee Gaia to support his young family and allow Liz to stay at home with the girls. After retiring from Shelby County in 1986, he was recruited by Lawyers Title (formerly MidSouth Title) to work as assistant manager for six more years before moving to Arkansas. There he started driving a school bus as a volunteer but was quickly recruited to a paid full-time position for nine more years before officially retiring. As a lifelong learner, he enrolled in automobile repair courses at Black River Technical College in Walnut Ridge for two semesters while Liz studied computer science. Ultimately, Tom’s greatest career accomplishment was becoming Chief Deputy for Shelby County Register. He was most proud of being ordained as a deacon at Thrifthaven Baptist Church in 1974. For 45 years, Tom continued to faithfully serve as a deacon in three churches as life circumstances planted him elsewhere.

Tom took great pleasure in tinkering in his workshop on any kind of engine, watching the Cardinals, following NASCAR, coaching kids in sports, playing with his grandkids, and fishing. His blue eyes always twinkled when he smiled, and he did not shy away from a good time. He taught his grandchildren how to swim and play sports and relished watching them on the field. He will always be remembered as a man of integrity whose life could truly be summed up in one motto: “Do the right thing.” He was a strong and steadfast leader with a servant’s heart whose life left an impact on everyone he met.

Tom is survived by his Wife, Hazel Elizabeth “Liz” Marbry, two daughters, Joy Marbry Auerbach (Charlie) and Tammy Marbry Young; five grandchildren, Jeremy Russell (Rachael), Joy “Beth” Lancaster-Clark (Steve), Stephen “Scott” Lancaster (Amy), Nathan Thomas Young (Amber), and Lacey Elizabeth Young-Watkins (Zack); nine great grandchildren, Savannah Nicole Clark, Jacob “Jake” Eli Russell, Ethan Marbry Lancaster, Chloe Caitlin Lancaster, Caleb Scott Lancaster, Remington “Remi” Taylor Young, Indiana Artemis Young, Sage Joelle Watkins and Able Allan Watkins; five nephews, Rod Marbry, Tim Marbry, Greg Marbry, Patrick Brooks, and Larry Brooks; three nieces, Suzette Marbry Myers, Lucretia Myers, and Lauretta Merideth.

Tom was preceded in death by his grandson Thomas Andrew “Drew” Lancaster; his parents Ed G. Marbry and Savannah Lorene Brown Marbry; his three brothers, Edwin Marbry, James P. Marbry, and Bob Larry Marbry; his three nephews, Stephen Marbry, Mark Marbry and David Brooks; and his niece, Lurae Holme.

His life was a testament to faith, love, and family, and his legacy will echo through the lives of his cherished children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom’s family is deeply grateful to Keke and Paul for their care and love in his final days.

His celebration service will be held at Collierville Funeral Home (Dignity Memorial), 3863 Bailey Station Rd., Collierville, TN on Sunday, July 12, with visitation at 2pm and the service to follow at 3pm. The family invites all who knew him to attend and share their favorite memories and food at the 4pm reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations on his behalf can be made to special causes near to his heart including:

The Gideons International: https://www.gideons.org

Parkinson's Foundation: https://parkinson.org/

or Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

At a later date, Tom will be laid to rest at Memphis Memory Gardens alongside his family.