Marvin L. Sallee

Rev. Marvin L. Sallee, 78, Vinton, Ohio passed away Monday, April 19, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia on August 13, 1942 to the late Virgil and Grace Powers Sallee. He married Ethel May Edman Sallee and often referred to her as his “bride” in the 56 years they were married. She always served in the ministry alongside of her husband. She preceded his death on July 20, 2019.

Marvin was a lifetime minister.  He started his ministry at Good Hope Baptist Church followed by Newport Baptist, Lawrence Baptist and Deucher Baptist and Vinton Baptist Church. He was active in his community serving on the Vinton Village Council, United Way, Gallia County Senior Citizens Center, Gallia County Council on Aging and Chaplain at Holzer Medical Center. He was named the Ohio Mission Person of the Year in 1997. Marvin had a great love for Gospel Music. He was referred to by some as the "Singing Preacher". He spent many years traveling in West Virginia and Ohio spreading the message of the gospel in song.

Marvin had a love for people that was genuine. He had a way of making everyone feel as if they have mattered. He had a vision to reach his community with the Hope that is found in the message of Jesus Christ; calling out to the broken, the lost, those entrapped in the chains of addiction, and the hurting, "punching holes in the darkness"; he was fully devoted to this and it became his life's work for the Glory of God.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, son, Brian (Rachel) Sallee, Vinton, Ohio and three daughters: Debbie (Keith) Eleam, Becky (Chester) Hess and Sarah (Eric) Thornton, all of Vinton, Ohio; ten grandchildren: Kimberly Sallee, Aaron Sallee, Abbie Eleam, Beverly Hess, Andrew Eleam, Cameron Hess, Allison Hess, Kaden Thornton, Landyn Hess and Kolton Thornton; siblings, Clayton Sallee, Union Grove, Wisconsin, Robert Sallee, Salisbury, North Carolina, Melinda Sallee, Gallipolis, Ohio and Paul (Crystal) Sallee, Coolville, Ohio.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Marvin was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Beverly Sallee, brother, Richard Sallee, sister, Marlene Palmer, infant brother, Ronald Eugene Sallee and infant sister, Mary Virginia Sallee.

Funeral service will be held 1:00 P.M., Friday, April 23, 2021 at the Elizabeth Chapel Church, Gallipolis, Ohio. Burial will follow at Vinton Memorial Cemetery, Vinton, Ohio. Family and friends may call at the church on Thursday from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. 

PLEASE NOTE: To respect the safety of the family and in accordance with CDC Regulations and current COVID-19 Pandemic Protocol, face coverings are required, and social distancing is requested in the church during visitation and funeral services. We respectfully ask that visitors not linger during the visitation hours. We and the family thank you for this consideration.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mccoymoore.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marvin L. Sallee, please visit our floral store.