Herbert and Nina Marshall

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Alfred Herbert Marshall II, 84, of Charleston died Wednesday, May 7, 2014, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near East Prairie, Missouri. His wife, Nina Marie Hough Marshall, 84, died a few hours later in the emergency room at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri, from injuries sustained in the same accident.

Herbert was born Sept. 16, 1929, in Charleston, to Jessie Elizabeth Moseley and John Harris Marshall. Nina was born April 30, 1930, in Charleston, to Roy and Mary Catherine Williams Hough. They were married April 18, 1950.

He lived in Charleston most of his life, with the exception of coaching four years in Jackson, and living in Fort Riley, Kansas, during his active duty. He was a member of the United Methodist Church all his life.

Following graduation from Charleston High School, he attended the University of Arkansas and played for the Razorbacks on a full athletic scholarship. He went on to earn a master's degree and completed advanced graduate work at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Herbert was widely known as Coach, Colonel and "Herb," and was leader, mentor and friend to many. He is said to have never met a stranger. His first love was his family, to whom he was supremely devoted.

His life was full of many passions, and at the top of his list was football. When he was 12, his father, who was a coach, allowed him to practice with the Charleston High School varsity Bluejays. By the end of his freshman year, his father had coached him to know every position of an 11-man team. By his senior year, he was captain and called plays on both offense and defense. During his senior year, the Bluejays were undefeated and only 7 points were scored against them.

He went on to play guard for the Razorbacks and made the All Southwest Conference Team. He completed a bachelor of science degree in education and a master's degree in educational administration. He received another master's degree in guidance and counseling from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

He coached and taught in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, Jackson and back home in Charleston 10 years. There he coached football, basketball and track. He started new baseball and wrestling programs and put in a new track at the new high school.

Herbert left teaching to become an agent for State Farm Insurance and continued running an agency in Charleston until his retirement at 75. He continued to be interested in football and other sports encouraging youths through Little League, all-star football games and refereeing. He quit serving as a high school and college referee at the age of 80.

He was active in the Lions Club and served as governor of the 26th District and president of the Mid-South Lion's Foundation. He was named Charleston's Man of the Year in 1973.

When he graduated from Arkansas he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the ROTC program. He was on active duty two years in Fort Riley. He continued his military career in the National Guard as company commander, battalion commander, and finally retiring at the rank of colonel and commander of the 35th Engineer Group at Cape Girardeau. He had also led the military police in St. Louis and had taught at the Officer Candidate School in Camp Clark.

Nina lived in Charleston most of her life, where she was a member of the United Methodist Church and served on the board of United Methodist Women.

Following graduation from Charleston High School, she attended Central Methodist University and University of Memphis with scholarships in voice, and had also attended the University of Arkansas, UCLA and Southeast Missouri State University.

She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta national sorority. During Nina's childhood and adolescence she began her private studies of music with the piano and instructor, Ms. Bess Latimer, at age 8, and at 11 years of age with Ms. Katherine Boone, renowned vocal coach. Although Ms. Boone had refused to take students, Nina Marie auditioned by singing "Indian Love Song" from the second-floor bathroom window of 109 Danforth. Ms. Boone then sent word: "Send her to me."

Nina continued her love of music and voice by singing, performing and leading musical performances. She taught private voice lessons as she moved from Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri, conducting and leading choirs during her husband's military duties. Upon her return to Charleston she was a featured soloist in innumerable events both in the community and the state of Missouri.

Her oldest daughter vividly recalls her mother on stage in a full-length sequin gown singing "Blues in the Night" for the Junior Study Club Fashion Show. One of her most outstanding performances was when she sang the national anthem accompanied by the Missouri Military Band under the St. Louis Arch in honor of its completion while the Blue Angels Jet Pilots flew overhead.

She was a stay-at-home, dedicated mother and full-time substitute teacher. Her commitment to serve was demonstrated by her active civic involvements including being a member and serving on the board of the Katherine Boone Music Club, sharing the responsibility of bringing real artists and concert performers to the Bootheel community for many years. She was a member of the Junior Study Club where she was featured as the lead vocalist every year, helping raise money for community development. She was a member and board director of the Mississippi County Historical Society, assisting with organizing the annual Dogwood Azalea Festival.

For more than 20 years she was an active board member for the Judevine Autism Center in Cape Girardeau. She helped hundreds of autistic children in the Bootheel area, who had not received services prior to her and Ms. Betty Hearnes' work bringing consciousness about Asperger and spectra of Autism.

Herbert and Nina are survived by their children, Dr. Mary Catherine Frazier and husband Dr. Richard Frazier of Delhi, Alfred Herbert Marshall III of Charleston, Edward Watkins Marshall of Brownsville, Texas, Iona Mae Marshall and husband Rick Ledesma of Lompoc, California, and Melanie Fraga and husband John Fraga of Jefferson City, Missouri; also seven grandchildren, Robert K. Frazier, Nina Illiana Frazier, Chanoia Marshall, Alfred Herbert Marshall IV, Joshua Jamie Marshall, Luc Girard Fraga and Nicholas Maurice Fraga; and a great-granddaughter, Abigail Marshall.

Herbert was preceded in death by a sister, Nanetta Brame; and a brother, J.H. Marshall.

Nina was preceded in death by a sister, Iona Mae Watkins; three brothers, Roy Finley Hough, Carl Harrison Hough and Dr. William Sherman Hough.

Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at United Methodist Church in Charleston.

The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, with the pastor, the Rev. David Collum, and the Rev. Richard Combs of Jackson and Henry Hough of Houston officiating.

The Missouri Military Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers and conduct graveside rites at IOOF Cemetery for Herbert.

Nina's pallbearers will be Al Marshall, Ed Marshall, Richard Frazier, John Fraga, Rick Ledesma, Robert Frazier, Josh Marshall, A.H. Marshall, Luc Fraga and Nicolas Fraga.

McMikle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be given to Herbert and Nina Marshall Scholarship Fund, c/o Tammy Brown/Citizens Bank, PO Box 130, Charleston, MO 63834; Mid South Lions Sight and Hearing Services, 930 Madison Ave., Suite 101, Memphis, TN 38103; The Autism Center, 611 N. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; or Schools for Salone, PO Box 25314, Seattle, WA 98165-22154.

Online condolences may be shared at mcmiklefuneralhome.com.