Obituary
Marshall Elliott Vermillion of Winter Park, age 68, died early Saturday after a short illness. Marshall was born March 14, 1947 in Hazard, KY to John D. and Lillian Collett Vermillion and grew up in Concord, NC – where he graduated from Concord High School in 1965. He began Wake Forest University with the class of 1969, dropped out to join the Navy (serving in Naval Intelligence in the Philippines and Morocco), and returned to graduate. Next, he received an MBA from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975.
He married Elizabeth Black (Betty) in 1968 in Atmore, AL and she moved with him to the Philippines where their son Jeff was born. After graduation from MBA School in 1975, he joined First Union National Bank in Charlotte, where their daughter Ashley was born. For eight years, he worked with the national division of First Union traveling all over the country.
Then the family moved to Hickory, NC where he became First Union’s City Executive. Then, in 1987 the Vermillions moved to Winter Park where he served as Orlando-based Regional President of First Union, later Wachovia Bank. In 2008 he retired after 32 years with the same bank. Later, he worked at Orange Bank for six years (including service as its President) – and was with United Legacy Bank as Senior Vice President at the time of his death.
Marshall was involved with many local charities in Orlando. Dear to his heart were Florida Citrus Sports where he served as President and Board Member and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida – where he was President and awarded Man of the Year. He remained active in both organizations.
He loved college football and basketball with a special place for Wake Forest and North Carolina. He loved his family and his granddaughters, Betty and Annie Fleming, were the apples of his eye.
He is survived by wife Elizabeth (Betty) Black Vermillion of Winter Park; son Jefferson Marshall Vermillion of Shenzhen, China; daughter Ashley Vermillion Webb (Cheshire) of Raleigh, NC; granddaughters; father, John D. Vermillion and brother David O. Vermillion (Gail); nephews Adam (Emily) and Philip Vermillion all of Concord, NC.
Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday at 11:00AM at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park with Dr. David Miller officiating – with reception following. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in honor of Marshall’s granddaughter Betty, to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) 5510 Six Forks Road #107, Raleigh, NC 27609.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Baldwin Brothers – Winter Park, a Funeral and Cremation Society. (www.baldwincremation.com)
I'm so sorry to hear of Marshall's passing. I worked with him when he moved to Orlando. We were in commercial lending at Atlantic Bank. When First Union took over we were all a little edgy. Not knowing what to expect. Here's a guy from the "deep" south, and me, from the "deep" east. Our first task was to understand each other. His southern drawl and my fast talking NY accent; a challenge. He could not have made things easier. He was funny, very smart, and treated all of us like family. We learned a lot from him. He was an awesome leader and a great motivator. Always made us feel we had something to contribute. I describe those days as being the best time of my life.
Love and prayers,
Karen
I am deeply saddened to learn of Marshall's passing and offer my sympathies to you and the legion of friends who loved him best. I can hardly remember a time in my 40 plus years on the Wake Forest staff that Marshall wasn't leading some program of his alma mater. And I know he never quit cheering for the Deacs, whether it was for a sports team or the competition for an excellent young scholar. May God fill your sorrow-stretched hearts with His love. Bob Mills