Marcus Franklin Lay

Marcus Franklin Lay, age 30, of Houston, Texas, died unexpectedly on Friday, September 29, 2023, in Houston. He was born on January 1, 1993, in Sewickley, to Donnell M. Lay, Sr. of Aliquippa and the late Tammie Johnson.

Marcus was a graduate of Aliquippa High School and worked as a camp counselor for the Salvation Army.  He attended Lincoln Park Charter School and Penn State University.  He then enlisted and proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army on September 25, 2014, where he received a National Defense Service Metal and Army Service Ribbon.  He was honorably discharged on March 12, 2023.

Preceding him in death in addition to his mother were his grandfather's, Robert Elmore and Franklin D.R. Lay, a brother, Deon Johnson, aunts, Lucretia Johnson and Bernadette Wagner-Lay, uncles, Melvin Johnson, Kevin Johnson, and Terry Johnson, great aunts, Regina Owens and Mary Norman Walker, great uncles, George Owens, John Norman, Robert Norman, Gregory Jones, and Charles Norman along with a host of other great aunts and uncles.

Marcus leaves behind to cherish his memory in addition to his father, his step-mother, Brandy Costello Lay, grandmother's, Louise Elmore and Bertha Lay, sisters, Wanda Laurice Lay, Kera Costello, and Kori Costello, brothers, Rashaud Dawkins, Carlin Johnson, Maurice Lay, Donnell Lay, Jr., Marc Lay, Donnell Lay, Quentin Lay, Rasheed Lay, Donnell Lay, Darrell Lay, and Dantae Lay, aunts and uncles, Tonya (Jerome) McLean, Tara (Damon) Hall, Troy (Virginia) Johnson, Janet Sims, Denise Arnold, Brenda Lay, Frank Lay, Victor Lay, Sheila Lay, and Joyce Lay, great uncles Virgil Edward Norman, Marvin Lay, James Lay, and Harold Lay, special cousin/sister, India Sims, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to meet on Monday, October 16, 2023, at Christian Lighthouse Church, 100 Ravine Street, Aliquippa where visitation will take place from 10 AM until time of funeral services at 11 AM. Elder Lucas T. Boxley, pastor will officiate. Anyone who wishes to attend the burial service are ask to meet Wednesday, October 18, 2023, in the parking lot of the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. 833 Kennedy Dr. Ambridge at 12:30 PM where the funeral procession will leave promptly at 1:00 PM for the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Washington County where full military honors will be conducted by the Brentwood Post 1810 Funeral Honor Guard and the United States Army.

"He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

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