Mario Leander Marberry

Mr. Mario Leander Marberry, 47, of Martin died Saturday, May 12, 2018, at his residence. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Parham Cemetery.Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church.Mario was born March 5, 1971 as the first child to Jewel White and Judge Williams in St. Louis, Missouri. Six months later, he and his mom relocated to Martin to be closer to his grandmother (Dorothy Wilkins) who preceded him in death, where he spent his childhood. He joined Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and was actively involved. He attended Martin Elementary School and later graduated at the top of his class from Westview High School in May 1989. Mario received an academic scholarship and matriculated at the prestigious Washington University (St. Louis) where he received his B.A. in Psychology and Spanish in 1993. Mario was a man who was always looking for ways to enhance his life for self-improvement opportunities.  He continued his education receiving his MSW from Washington University in 2001; Executive MBA from University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2008; and completed course work toward his PhD.  Mario loved children and was interested in majoring in a field working with children, so initially he pursued prerequisite studies for a medical degree but later became interested in Social Work.  He held many jobs in his field of study and of increased responsibility:  Caseworker, (Missouri Division Family Services); Child Welfare Fellow (University of Kansas); Clinical Caseworker Practitioner (Western Missouri Mental Health Center);  Community Support Supervisor (Swope Health Services);  Vice President of Program Administration and Development (The Children’s Place);  Behavioral Health Manager (Kansas City Free Health Clinic);  Adjunct Faculty (University of Phoenix); Director of Social Services/Patient Advocate (Prairie St. John’s- Fargo North Dakota) and currently employed as the Program Administrator for the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of Minnesota Department of Human Services. In November 2009, still trying to impact children’s lives, Mario was a School Board Candidate in Kansas City, Missouri. Mario was an avid reader, photographer and loved to cook and dine at various eateries.  He also enjoyed traveling and spent time in Mexico, Puerto Rico, China, Africa, Spain, Italy, and Caribbean.    Mario was a loving son, awesome brother, loyal friend and confidant. Mario was married and fathered two children, Imani and Malcolm. Mario was proud to have pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Epsilon Lambda Chapter in the year of 1998.  In 2014, shortly after relocating to Minnesota, Mario was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. Mario was a fighter so he began aggressive treatment and continued to fully live his life. He continued to work until his health no longer allowed. In April 2018, after four years of treatment, Mario’s health began to significantly decline so a decision was made to come home to Martin, where he would be closer to family. He leaves to cherish his memory, a loving and devoted mother (Jewel White) and sister (Camita Marberry). Also, father (Judge Williams), sister (Chante Shannon), brothers (Jeremiah and Jeremy Williams), daughter (Imani Marberry), son (Malcolm Marberry), grandson (Terrell Marberry), aunts (Helen, June, Linda, Felicia, Renae and Kathy), uncles (Alan, Raymond, David, Tracy and Phil), close cousins (Patsy, Rosalyn, Penny) and a host of other close relatives and friends.   Rawls Funeral Home – Union City 731-885-8110