Marvin T. Lipscomb, Jr.

Marvin T. Lipscomb, Jr.

THOMASVILLE – Marvin T. Lipscomb, Jr., 85, entered into rest early Tuesday morning, November 4, 2025.  He was the loving husband of Andrea E. (DeLeon) Lipscomb.  The couple would have celebrated 29 years of marriage on November 19, 2025.

Born April 22, 1940 in Baltimore, MD, he was a son of the late Marvin Lipscomb and Mary (Tabeling) Smith.

In 1957, he signed up for the U.S. Army.   He served for two years and was honorably discharged in 1959.

Marvin was a grateful alcoholic.  On December 19, 1975, he was homeless and ended up at Fort Howard Detox Center.  His first counselor asked if he had a problem with alcohol and Marvin said no.  After his treatment, Fort McHenry found him a job as a maintenance man at Pilot House Treatment Facility.  This is where he met his one and only sponsor and lifelong friend Sterling Beard and his son was named in his honor.  He became a manager at a half-way house in Whitehall, MD.  This eventually led him to Colonial House in the 1980’s where he remained for almost 30 years, retiring at the age of 70. 

Marvin obtained his GED in 1980 and his master’s degree from Lincoln University in 1988.

In 1998, he was invited to China as a diplomat through “People to People” for his knowledge of treatment centers through NAADAC.

December 19, 2025 would have been his 50 years of continuous sobriety - he almost made it!

Marvin was a good friend to Father Martin who founded Father Martin’s Ashley Treatment Center in Havre De Grace, MD.

His lifelong goal was to travel to all 50 states which he achieved.

In addition to his wife, Marvin is survived by a son, Sterling Lipscomb of Iowa; a daughter, Julie Meekins and husband, Tom of Lynchburg, VA; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Daniel DeLeon and wife, Peggy; sister-in-law, Cynthia Gowl and his two loving nephews Max and Victor; numerous nieces and nephews; and his long-time and devoted friend, Tom Livingston of Bel-Air, MD.  A special shout out to his Friday night home group Hilltop for all their love and support.  He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Marvin T. Lipscomb III; and brothers, Gary W. Lipscomb, Lee Lipscomb and Lawrence H. Smith.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the service to celebrate Marvin’s life with the visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. and services at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Emig Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 47 N. Queen St., Dover.  Officiating will be Pastor Matthew Sandorfi of Cornerstone Bible Church in Dover. Interment will be at Greenwood Memorial Park privately with family.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to CHI Healthcare Network Rehabilitation Center, 1300 Woodberry Rd., York, PA 17408.

To share memories of Marvin and condolences with his family, please visit www.emigfuneralhome.com.

As Marvin always said, “Recovery gets so good, you can’t stand it!”

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