In 1982, Marc married his soul mate Melanie Buchanan on August 28, 1982, and together they cherished their four children-Caleb, Hannah, Jordan, and Eden. He graduated magna cum laude from Hampton-Sydney in Virginia, receiving the Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa recognitions, among other honors. After working as a VISTA volunteer in Kansas City, he received an MDiv degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, and was ordained into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church USA in the spring of 1984. He later earned a Master's degree in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University, and a Doctorate of Theology from Harvard University.
He served Presbyterian congregations in North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. Marc and his family moved to Kingston in 2001 to serve the loving community of Bethel Presbyterian Church; he was also an adjunct professor of religion at Maryville College in 2005-2006.
His family, friends, and parishioners will remember Marc for his generous heart, scholarly mind, enlightening sermons, faithful witness, untiring patience, love, and gentleness, receptive thoughtfulness, humor and laughter, and passion for justice and peace. Marc was an insatiable reader, avid coin collector, carpenter, and coach of the Roane County High School girl's tennis team.
He is survived by his parents Betty and Burton of Sanford NC, wife Melanie, children Caleb, Hannah, Jordan, and Eden, siblings and their spouses Marty and Becky Sherrod, Anne and David Beal, David and Alice Sherrod, Nancy and Harold James, and Jonathan and Camille Sherrod. Melanie's parents Bucky and Patsy Buchanan, his sister-in-law Beth Buchanan, and her husband Bob Heath also survive him, along with eleven nieces and nephews.
Marc's family greatly appreciates those who supported him throughout his journey, especially the Reverends Pat Harvey and Bill Shenk along with the generous congregation of Bethel Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of East Tennessee for tirelessly caring for their pastor. Congregants from Kingston United Methodist Church and the Kingston Church of Christ also provided loving care and support, and Marc was grateful for the outstanding care of Dr. Michael Thompson and the many medical professionals who guided him during his illness.
The family will greet friends in the gathering space of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Kingston, TN from 6 pm-8 pm Thursday September 10. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be Friday, September 11, at 10 am at Bethel Presbyterian Church with Reverends Pat Harvey and Anne McKee presiding. Marc's ashes will be returned to the earth Friday September 11 at 5 pm at Green Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any memorial gifts be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church and be designated to either the Bethel Building Fund or Grace School in Kenya.
