Arnold "Av" Marshall

Arnold Vance Marshall, 84, of Pinnacle, North Carolina, passed away on February 21, 2023 after a brief illness. Arnold “AV” was born on June 29, 1938, to Hobert and Ruby Marshall in Stokes County. AV grew up in Winston-Salem where he, along with is brother Gene, began a life of entrepreneurship at an early age. At the age of 12, AV and Gene acquired a Winston-Salem Journal paper route which they maintained until Arnold graduated from Hanes High School in 1958. It was during high school that AV developed lifelong friendships and excelled in baseball. It was that passion for baseball that would be instrumental in so much of AV’s adult life. During his twenties, AV was employed by R.J. Reynolds and helped to organize and play in the intramural softball leagues for employees. In 1967, Arnold left Reynolds and entered Rookie School for the Winston-Salem Police Department. It was during his 24-year tenure with the WSPD that he became well known for his league softball prowess and his commitment to serve the citizens of Winston-Salem. At the time of his retirement in 1989, he was recognized for his role in the development of the “walking squad” in uptown Winston-Salem, his record for drunk driving arrests and his membership on the WSPD motorcycle squad. After his retirement in 1989, Arnold started two small businesses, “Marshall’s Specialty Lawncare” and “Marshall’s Rental Properties”. As a result, AV became well known in real estate circles in Forsyth County for his advocacy for low-income families in need of adequate housing. During his 30+ years as landlord, not one complaint was lodged regarding his fairness or compassion for others. He truly loved being able to help others. It was during his retirement years that AV became a strong voice in community advocacy through his membership in numerous service organizations including the Winston-Salem Exchange Club, the Stop Child Abuse Now agency (SCAN), the Winston-Salem Foundation and Forsyth Crime Stoppers. AV’s most beloved charitable project was the fund raising efforts he spearheaded for Exchange/ SCAN. For nearly 10 years he organized the peanut sales at the Dixie Classic Fair, which netted hundreds of thousands of dollars for child abuse prevention. It was AV’s passion for baseball and college athletics that led he and Kathy to the Wake Forest Deacon Club. There he was proud to serve a term on the baseball steering committee. For nearly 40 years, he and Kathy were constant figures at Wake Football, Basketball and Baseball games. They have traveled the northwest Piedmont for years, scouting high school players who were considering Wake Forest as their college choice. AV was predeceased by his parents and his beloved son David. AV is survived by his constant companion and wife Kathy, his beloved daughter Brigette Wall, his granddaughters Bethany Wall (Jordan) and Emily Wall (Jacob) and his great granddaughter Olive, of whom he was immensely proud and loved with a passion. AV is also survived by his brother, Gene Marshall (Dianne) and numerous nieces and nephews to whom he was their rock, their friend and their mentor. Also left behind are his 2 feline companions, Paddy’O and Snowball. AV’s legacy will live on, reminding us to choose a life full of faith and a passion to better the lives of others. AV was an active member of Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church in King NC. A Celebration of Life Service for AV will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2023, at Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church in King, NC with Rev. Dr. Evelyn Lemons officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in AV’s memory to WFU Baseball, c/o Paul Kennedy, 499 Deacon Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27105, and Friends of Stokes Shelter, 1111 Dodgetown Road, Walnut Cove, NC 27052.