Obituary of Sandra Clinetta Marshall

Sandra, our Tiny, Pumpkin, transitioned into the arms of Jesus on April 8, 2021 at 7:07 P.M. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sandra Reed, grandmother, Geraldine Nabors, uncle, Kent Marshall, great grandfather, James Brown (Grandpa Jack). She left to cherish her memory and honor her legacy her father, Dwayne Marshall, her children Janessa Marshall and Alauran Marshall, her grandmother Kathleen Clark, her aunts Keren, Clinetta (her namesake), Tracey, Roxanne, Patricia, Brenda; her great uncle James (Boopsie) Brown Jr. and a host of cousins, other family members. A gathering time for family and friends to remember Sandra will be held from 5 to 6 pm on Friday, April 16th at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City concluding with a Life Celebration at the funeral home at 6 pm. Sandra will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, IA on Saturday, April 17th at 10 am. Sandra Reed and Dwayne Marshall celebrated the birth of their baby girl, Sandra aka “Tiny” Clinetta Marshall born May 18, 1982, at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL. She proved from birth that she would be a fighter, weighing a little over 2 lbs., she instantly captured the hearts of the family and was affectionately nicknamed, Tiny. Born into a family of faith, Tiny’s grandmother and family would visit her in the hospital daily ensuring that “Tiny” would feel the warmth of their touch, hear their voices, and absorb all their love, as she was nurtured to good health. Once she reached 4 lbs. and was released, the family became extremely protective of her and around the clock schedule for her care was created. Sandra aka Tiny, became a loving and happy church baby at the age of 3 months, when her grandmother would take her to church every Sunday. Sandra’s great-grandfather Pastor Clifton Marshall, owned Lawndale Dry Cleaning in Chicago, IL and required all his family to work and learn the business. Sandra’s father, Dwayne introduced her to the world of business as an infant, when he would take her to the “Cleaners” (as the family would call it) where family would take turns caring for her and spoiling her, capturing the heart of the clients. Sandra’s parents later moved to Memphis, TN where she was raised by her maternal grandmother Geraldine Nabors. Sandra was known to her Memphis family and friends as Pumpkin. Pumpkin took many of her cousins; and other family members into her care; raising them as her own. After moving to Memphis, Sandra would still spend summers in Chicago, Il with family. She looked forward to her summers, spending quality time with her family; attending church with her paternal grandmother, summer adventures such as Great America, zoo, park, museum trips with her cousins, loaded up in their Tee Tee’s car. Sandra was a millennial graduate of Mitchell High School, class of 2000. Sandra became a mother on May 29, 2003, when she welcomed her first baby girl, Janessa Geraldine Kay Marshall, and her second baby girl, Alauran Kay Marshall on March 1, 2008. She loved Ne Ne (Janessa) and Mu Mu (Alauran) with all that she had to give, they were her two greatest loves and her entire world. Sandra (Tiny) was a gentle soul, sweet and genuine to the core. She was often soft spoken but had a stern mommy look and a stern hand; when she felt it was necessary. She loved hard, cherished her family; and was extremely protective of them. She whole heartedly loved her girls and was so very proud of their accomplishments, gifts, and talents. She really enjoyed watching the girls praise dance, and proudly shared their achievements with the family. Because she loved them deeply and wanted more for them, in 2013 Sandra relocated her family to Iowa to provide a better lifestyle. Sandra (Tiny) was a dedicated and hard worker. Sandra worked at Jabil Global Services from February 2011 - May 2013 Memphis TN and Whirlpool from 2013 – 2018, Cedar Rapids, IA. Sandra was so excited in 2018 when she started working at Collins Aerospace and shared with family how happy she was to finally be able to transition to a good company and shared how many things she can now accomplish and do for her family with this job. Sandra was a faithful servant, whether in Memphis, or Cedar Rapids, Ia. Sandra (Pumpkin) grew up in Riverside Missionary Baptist Church, Memphis, TN where she sang in the choir. She also attended End Time Holiness, Pastor Jessie Smith where she served on the youth committee. Upon her relocation to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sandra joined Kingdom Encounter Church, formerly known as Redemption Ministries Church, under the leadership of Bishop Robert L. Green. She immediately jumped into active service in many capacities: A Pastoral Care Aide, assisted with building maintenance, choir member, youth ministry leader, and multiple other administrative roles. Sandra loved to serve the Lord and would often laugh and talk with her family about her church experiences and commitments; and the family would always tease her about the many church posts that she posted in the family group. However, it was all in good fun, as Sandra knew her family deeply believed that you are saved to serve, and she understood very early that her first loyalty was to the Lord. As a family of faith, love, and service; we vowed to stay engaged and present in the moment; be it with prayer, encouragement, or physical support. Staying connected through our family group, we would always compete, whether it was with family fitness challenges, cupcake wars, family member milestones, themed family activities or random family fun challenges. Sandra (Tiny) would always get called out by the family for cheating, during our Christmas Trivia Challenges, because she would always copy everyone else’s answers and submit them as her own. Tiny was the cousin whisperer; she always had a great relationship with all the kids; especially the babies. Sandra (Tiny) was the family’s baby and remained so until the Lord called her home.