Family will receive friends on Friday March 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 1775 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223. Interment: Union Cemetery.

Earl Leslie Marshall was born on June 4, 1947, in Montgomery, West Virginia to parents Ramona Jean Marshall and Baylor Earl Marshall (Retired Military). Earl and his parents made the move to Columbus, Ohio when Earl was seven years old. He gained a strong faith in God from his grandfather who was a pastor. His faith was sustaining him until his last days. Earl attended Columbus Public schools where he began high school at East high but graduated from Linden McKinley in 1967. After high school Earl worked at Timken and Rockwell before heading to General Motors where he retired from 30 years of service.

Earl was very driven and destined for greatness! He tried his hand in a few entrepreneurial endeavors from selling clothing, starting an advertising publication as well as music production, allowing him to meet both Prince and Morris Day of the TIME. His love from music, especially jazz, R&B and gospel, carried him through many times both good and bad.

Earl always had a sense of style and because of that he participated in various fashion shows around the greater Columbus area, consisting of churches and General Motors. Earl was a huge traveler so when he took advantage of his time shares, he’d always bring back one-of-a-kind items, from designer clothes, beaver fur hats, and various items from all over the world to match his exquisite taste. He loved sports from boxing, tennis, and basketball and loved to roller-skate (back in the day). You know, he thought he was too cool (Earl the pearl, they called him). He loved EVERYTHING O-H-I-O!! Along with his passion for his unique style, he carried that same energy into cars! When you see Earl coming, you knew it was him just by the type of car he had. 

Earl was listed as “One You Should Know” a monthly newsletter at General Motors. 

Earl was proceeded in death by his parents, Baylor and Ramona Jean Marshall, brother’s Frederick Marshall, and Tyrone Pryor. 

Earl Leaves behind to mourn his best friend and loving wife Marsha Marshall and three loving daughters Stacy (Michael) Spotts, Joy Marshall, Leslie Marshall, and his only son Earl Marshall, Jr., and bonus children he was also blessed with Deitra Bosley, Johnetta (Sissy), Gwinn and Robert Glover. Also, his brother Larry (Boo) Marshall, bonus sister Linda Lawson and a host of loving grandchildren, and great grandchildren.