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Injured youth dies, funeral Saturday
By Peggy Blackburn - Managing Editor
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Sgt. 1st class Danny Hunter (left) of Wetumpka High School’s JROTC program presents a $1,900 check to Pastor Arthur Smith to go to Derrick Marshall’s relief fund Nov. 19. The money was raised in one day by the Wetumpka volleyball team, baseball team, softball team, tennis team, drill team, marching band, varsity cheerleaders, yearbook committee, Students Against Drunk Driving, JROTC Raider team, DECA Marketing Club, Art Club, Spanish Club, Beta Club, Key Club, Youth Crime Watch, the school’s general fund and a large contribution by the student body. St. Paul United Methodist Church in Tallassee also contributed. -- Herald Photo/Wesley Sinor
Four months after Wetumpka's Derrick Marshall was hospitalized following his near-drowning, the 2006 Wetumpka High graduate died Monday morning as a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident. He had just turned 20 Sept. 11.
“We had thought he was improving because he was responding more and would even smile sometimes,” said Calvin D. Johnson, Derrick’s cousin.
“But we do thank God that we were given the opportunity to prepare for this. Many people prayed for Derrick to be healed, and we as a family are accepting the way God has chosen to heal him. We know he has gone on to a better place.”
Marshall, who had signed to play football at Alabama State University, was submerged in a swimming pool for an extended period of time July 29 at a family celebration in Montgomery. He was rushed to Jackson Hospital.
Marshall remained in a vegetative state, and was transferred to Capital Hill Nursing Home. However, he got pneumonia and had to go back to Jaskson.
He was then released again to the nursing home, where he passed.
The funeral will be at Wetumpka High School in the commons area at 1 p.m.
Graveside services will follow at Assembly Church of God on Highway 9.
After the funeral, the family will receive condolences at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center on Lancaster Street in Wetumpka.
Attendees may begin gathering at the high school at noon. There will be a slide show during the waiting period.
In keeping with his mother's wishes, the funeral will be as brief as possible and will include a tribute to him.
Coach Chad Anderson is contacting football players that graduated with Derrick to ask them to be the pallbearers.
“We want everyone to be as upbeat as possible at the funeral,” said Johnson. “The family has cried much over the past months, and everyone who knew Derrick knows that he wouldn't want this to be a somber occasion.”
The tragic circumstances have taken a heavy emotional and financial toll on the family.
In lieu of flowers or cards, the family asks that contributions be made to the medical fund set up in Derrick's name at Wachovia Bank.
A total of $2,961.30 has been collected from Wetumpka High School and Marshall’s church.
For additional information about assisting Marshall’s family, contact Pastor Arthur Smith at 334-567-6209 or e-mail JoyceASmith@bellsouth.net or CalvinJohnson777@hotmail.com.
Sherry wrote on Nov 28, 2007 11:39 AM: