Lenston Devon Marrow
Owner/CEO
A 10-year-old planning funerals in his backyard, burying insects in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was the beginning of a boyhood dream that grew into a life of passion. Lenston Devon Marrow’s admiration of the precision and the finesse it takes to be a great Funeral Director came from watching the most respected Mortician in the city where he grew up, Mr. CC Stokes. “I recall watching the sheen on the cleanest cars and the finest looking lead cars as they rolled through the streets when a funeral procession was taking place”. “I learned to be discreet at a young age from Mr. Stokes”. “He met no strangers and greeted everyone. He took great pride in using his hearse to pick up Dr. Martin Luther King from the airport each time he arrived in North Carolina to deliver his great speeches. No one knew that Dr. King’s “comings and goings” were camouflaged while riding in one of the fine hearse owned by Mr. CC Stokes.”
Compassionate, detail-oriented, and a giving heart are words used to describe Lenston D. Marrow’s work ethic, but those are characteristics that you don’t learn from reading in a college book, as he will be quick to tell you. “Those traits are learned from watching, observing, and mimicking the behavior of some of the most prestigious morticians and funeral directors in the industry”. After graduating from the Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services on August 28, 1998, Lenston received the opportunity to do just that.
Lenston was endowed with an apprenticeship by the late Jesse E. Cooley Jr. of the Jesse E. Cooley, Jr. Funeral Services establishment in Fresno, California, in 1998. He received impeccable training in embalming methods, funeral direction and subsequently received his license. After receiving his license, Lenston moved to Pasadena, California, and continued his tutelage under Fred W. Valentine, a living legend in the funeral business and proprietor of the oldest African American Mortuary in the San Gabriel Valley. Since 1923, The Woods-Valentine Mortuary has cultivated a legacy of morals and ethics and superb business acumen. For the next 12 years, Lenston made this his home.
Lenston is his brother’s keeper. While working for Mr. Valentine, he was introduced to Mr. Gillis Monroe, owner of Long Beach Colonial Mortuary. He began to trade in embalming for Long Beach Colonial Mortuary and learned some tricks of the trade in the preparation room. In 2002, he became the embalmer of Long Beach Colonial Mortuary. In 2012, Lenston transitioned into the position of Manager of Long Beach Colonial Mortuary.
Lenston doesn’t take lightly all the valuable lessons he has learned, which led to his new venture as Owner and Operator of Long Beach Colonial Mortuary. His motto is……Service Is Our Passion. Integrity, respect for each family, and service with a caring heart are integral to the success of his ministry in service to families. On a typical day, you can find him checking on “the guests of honor”, calling families, planning for the day’s activities with the staff, visiting, and, of course, in the preparation room. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he stated, “I want to leave no rock unturned when it comes to giving back in service to my community.” A profound comment made with a sincere heart.
Mr. Marrow's affiliations include, but are not limited to, membership with:
Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, California Nu Chapter (An “Invitation Only” group of ELITE Embalmers around the United States)
National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association
California Funeral Directors and Embalming Association
Lenston is married to Mrs. Crystal Matthews-Marrow and is the proud father of Lennyx Devonne Marrow.
Lenston Devon Marrow
Owner/CEO
A 10-year-old planning funerals in his backyard, burying insects in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was the beginning of a boyhood dream that grew into a life of passion. Lenston Devon Marrow’s admiration of the precision and the finesse it takes to be a great Funeral Director came from watching the most respected Mortician in the city where he grew up, Mr. CC Stokes. “I recall watching the sheen on the cleanest cars and the finest looking lead cars as they rolled through the streets when a funeral procession was taking place”. “I learned to be discreet at a young age from Mr. Stokes”. “He met no strangers and greeted everyone. He took great pride in using his hearse to pick up Dr. Martin Luther King from the airport each time he arrived in North Carolina to deliver his great speeches. No one knew that Dr. King’s “comings and goings” were camouflaged while riding in one of the fine hearse owned by Mr. CC Stokes.”
Compassionate, detail-oriented, and a giving heart are words used to describe Lenston D. Marrow’s work ethic, but those are characteristics that you don’t learn from reading in a college book, as he will be quick to tell you. “Those traits are learned from watching, observing, and mimicking the behavior of some of the most prestigious morticians and funeral directors in the industry”. After graduating from the Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services on August 28, 1998, Lenston received the opportunity to do just that.
Lenston was endowed with an apprenticeship by the late Jesse E. Cooley Jr. of the Jesse E. Cooley, Jr. Funeral Services establishment in Fresno, California, in 1998. He received impeccable training in embalming methods, funeral direction and subsequently received his license. After receiving his license, Lenston moved to Pasadena, California, and continued his tutelage under Fred W. Valentine, a living legend in the funeral business and proprietor of the oldest African American Mortuary in the San Gabriel Valley. Since 1923, The Woods-Valentine Mortuary has cultivated a legacy of morals and ethics and superb business acumen. For the next 12 years, Lenston made this his home.
Lenston is his brother’s keeper. While working for Mr. Valentine, he was introduced to Mr. Gillis Monroe, owner of Long Beach Colonial Mortuary. He began to trade in embalming for Long Beach Colonial Mortuary and learned some tricks of the trade in the preparation room. In 2002, he became the embalmer of Long Beach Colonial Mortuary. In 2012, Lenston transitioned into the position of Manager of Long Beach Colonial Mortuary.
Lenston doesn’t take lightly all the valuable lessons he has learned, which led to his new venture as Owner and Operator of Long Beach Colonial Mortuary. His motto is……Service Is Our Passion. Integrity, respect for each family, and service with a caring heart are integral to the success of his ministry in service to families. On a typical day, you can find him checking on “the guests of honor”, calling families, planning for the day’s activities with the staff, visiting, and, of course, in the preparation room. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he stated, “I want to leave no rock unturned when it comes to giving back in service to my community.” A profound comment made with a sincere heart.
Mr. Marrow's affiliations include, but are not limited to, membership with:
Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, California Nu Chapter (An “Invitation Only” group of ELITE Embalmers around the United States)
National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association
California Funeral Directors and Embalming Association
Lenston is married to Mrs. Crystal Matthews-Marrow and is the proud father of Lennyx Devonne Marrow.
