Mr. James Marvin Pilcher of Grand Ridge entered the gates of Heaven on his birthday, August 24, 2024. He was born to Herman and Lois Pilcher in Altha on August 24, 1941. He later grew up in Sneads and graduated from Jackson County Adult Ed, attended Barber College in Tallahassee and ran a successful barbering business for over sixty years. In addition to barbering, Marvin worked for the Department of Corrections, achieving the rank of Captain before retiring in 1998. He was well known for loving the Lord, his devotion to family and his barbering skills.
Marvin was well loved in the community and known to many by his sense of humor and sharing his love for the Lord. Many people came in for a haircut and were blessed with the bonus of receiving a spiritual pep talk. He enjoyed singing in church and was a member of the quartet, “The Singing Gospels”. He was a lifelong member of the Assemblies of God faith and served as a deacon at El Bethel Assembly of God for sixteen years. He was hard working, loyal to family and friends, and loved to laugh, often telling people, “I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Preceding him in death was his wife of fifty-nine years, Ethel Gibson Pilcher; his parents Herman and Lois Pilcher, a brother, Roy Pilcher; two sisters, Joyce Atwell and Edna Weeks; son-in-law, Shane Mercer; and great-granddaughter, Alaina Gibson.
Survivors include his wife, Nan Neel Pilcher; his daughters, Valerie Goodwin of Grand Ridge and Sheila Mercer of Dellwood; his son, Richard and wife Carolyn of Grand Ridge; step-son, Ron Farmer of St. Augustine; grandchildren, Tanya (Wes) Stanley of Dothan, Shelaina (Jeremy) Lewis of Shady Grove, Chris (Tiffany) Goodwin of Cottonwood; Shannon (Kimmy) Mercer of Tallahassee; Rick (Heather) Pilcher of Grand Ridge; Ryan Pilcher of Pittsburgh, PA; and Rion Farmer of St. Augustine; great-grandchildren, Summer, Celina, Ethan, Alyssa, Jaiden, Raelynn, Gannon, Savannah, Lila, Eli, Cole, Reece, Wyatt, Mariah; great-great-grandchildren, Nova and Nestor Jr.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM central time at Sneads Assembly of God Church with funeral services following at 11:00 AM central time. Mr. Pilcher will be laid to rest at Dykes Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a contribution in memory and honor of Marvin to Sneads Assembly of God Church or El Bethel Assembly of God Church as both held a very dear place in his heart.
