A POEM FOR ABLE

Able walked with laughter in his voice,
God’s Word rooted deep in his spirit
truth rising in him
the way morning light climbs a good sky. He lived like the psalmist sang,
with goodness and mercy trailing behind him
like faithful friends.
He trusted the Lord
the way a child trusts a steady hand. Philippians 4:13 was his lantern,
glowing through 
every season,
heavy days,
 joyful days,
all of them brightened
by the Christ who strengthened him. And joy Lord, joy was his gift.
He gave it freely, 
turning burnt barbecue into tradition,
turning a turkey with aluminum‑foil legs
into a story that will outlive us all. I teased him about that bald head,
and he’d grin wide,
“Kathy, nobody ever asked me for hair.”
Even his jokes proved
that God delights in laughter
just as much as reverence. He loved his wife
with devotion that mirrored
a love that never fails.
He loved his family
with open hands,
 open heart,
never counting the cost 
just giving, the way Scripture teaches.We took spur‑of‑the‑moment trips to Galveston,
where the ocean held nothing solemn, 
only sunlight,
 jokes, 
and joy.
Waves rolling in like reminders that God made life to be lived,
not merely endured.
Able thought he was cool,
and Lord, we let him keep thinking that because
 in kindness, 
in faith,
 in love,
he truly was, in his own way. Now he rests in the presence
of the God he adored 
the Shepherd who restores souls,
the Father who welcomes his children home,
the Christ who strengthens all who call on Him. 
And we carry Able forward
with the scripture he carried first:
“I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me.”

Grandpa Marshall was a great man who was caring, funny and who will be missed.
Love Demariyeah "Maury"

Able, Lord knows, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the quiet that’s waiting for me now. Who am I going to bother when I come over? Who’s going to laugh under their breath, and say my name the way only you could “Kathy…” drawn out like you were half annoyed, half amused, and always glad I was there. I keep thinking about your special barbecue, the burntness  you swore was “just how you wanted it,” And don’t get me started on how you cheated in spades, in dominoes, how you cheated in anything with a scoreboard 😂. I’ll keep the rest of those stories tucked away, because you’d probably fuss at me for telling them.But Able… beyond all that teasing and laughter, you were a wonderful bonus dad. Poppa Able,that steady voice. The quiet strength. The one who could talk Bible with me one minute and talk about absolutely nothing the next, and somehow both conversations felt holy.I can still hear your laugh that filled a room without trying. I can still see  you in your chair,  pretending you weren’t listening even though you heard every word. I can still feel the comfort of knowing you were just there. Memories of you aren’t just memories. They’re stitched into me now. They rise up at random moments, when I enter the house, when I smell barbecue smoke, when I hear a song you loved, when I catch myself laughing out loud  at something you said. And that’s the part that gets me…
You’re gone, but you’re still here.
In the laughter.
In the stories.
In the lessons.
In the love you didn’t have to give but gave anyway.Able, you were the dude who will be truly missed. Missed in the loud ways and the quiet ways. Missed in the everyday moments that used to feel small but now feel enormous. Missed in the spaces you filled without even trying.You left a mark on this family, a mark that won’t fade. And if I’m honest…
I’m going to miss bothering you the most.
Because bothering you meant you were here.
And you always let me. Rest easy, Poppa Able. You are forever in my ❤️.

Grandpa Marshall was a man of God, steady in faith and rich in wisdom. He loved with a full heart, stood with us in our hardest moments, and protected us with a strength that felt like a prayer answered. Grandpa Marshall, I can’t speak for everyone, but even though our time together was shorter than I hoped, I thank God for sending you to my grandmother and letting you become part of our family’s story. God gave us moments with you that feel like pearls, small, shining treasures we carry now in our grief and in our gratitude. It is with a broken heart that we gather today, but we hold tight to the memories, the talks that shaped us, the laughter that lifted us, and the love that never once wavered. He is with our Father in heaven now, resting in a peace deeper than anything this world could offer. And when we see each other again.... Let’s begin at the last hello, for the sun will shine on us once more as family.
Love your granddaughter 
Sarah-Katharyne

Hey Marshall, man I hate that I didn't get to see you before you left. You know you still my Ace Boon Coon. I know we will see each other again. And when we do. My question will still be the same, "Let me hold a little something." I can hear you now saying, "Nah, Jr ." Man  I'm going to miss you.
Love 
Paul Jr.

We all love and Miss you Grandpa Marshall 💜❤️

❤️To my Hubby, Marshall Handy❤️
In the realm of the heavens above, our time together in this world was brief. Yet the memories we shared bring me comfort from laughter filled days to moments of strife, you were my strength and my light in times of strife, you were the constant in my life my knight in shining armor, my soul mate. Now I must navigate this life alone. Though we may be separated by death, our love has transcended beyond the last breath. The bond we share will never die, living on with every memory and every beat of my heart. With every memory, I feel you near.
The love we have, will never fade away.
Though you are gone, in my heart you’ll always stay. 
Love as Always
Your wife,  Beverly

Marshall was a wonderful dad to my wife Kathryn, and her brother Paul. Also, a wonderful husband to his wife, Ms. Beverly.  He was always kind to me, well except when I beat him in dominoes.  And after he got saved,  he changed his whole life. You became a man of deep faith, striving to walk gently and love fully.  I know one thing the family will surely miss besides you,   is your famous Bar B Que. Man, that was a family staple. 
 Marshall was a man willing to change his life around for the better for him and his wife and to serve God  with the best of his ability. That's all you could asked of a man, put God first, then wife and next family.  Marshall also loved his cats, especially the one he bottled fed, Tiger.  Rest in Peace Marshall you ran a good race.  God called you home to get some well deserved rest. God got you now man.  No more pain, just peace because  you  are now with God's grace and mercy, forever.
Love 
Kenneth Curry

In celebration of the life of Marshall
 I want to honor the space he held in my life during my childhood and the good memories from those earliest adult  years that will stay with me. As the family gathers to reflect on his life, I am sending my deepest thoughts, love, and prayers for strength and comfort to everyone. May his memory bring peace to those who knew and loved him, and may he rest in eternal peace."

Hello Grandpa Marshall this is Kasey and I will miss you and I love you a lot.

Hello Grandpa Marshall this is Kasey and I wanted you to know that I will carry your spirit in my soul and heart. I miss you so much 💜 and I hope you are at peace 🕊️.

OBITUARY

Marshall Able Handy

January 6, 1950 – September 5, 2026

Carl Barnes Funeral Home

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