Marcia Lynn Lamkin

Dr. Marcia Lynn Lamkin, 71, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on August 6, 2024. Marcia was born to Richard and June Lamkin on December 23, 1952, in Syracuse, New York, and grew up in Skaneateles, New York.  She held many degrees and certifications, including an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Teacher’s College of Columbia.

Dr. Marcia, as she was affectionately known to her clients and coworkers, was a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Previously, she had worked as a middle school teacher (French, Spanish, and English Language Arts), a school Principal, Superintendent of Schools, Professor of Education (graduate programs at Arkansas State University and the University of North Florida), and Professor of Developmental Writing (Florida State College at Jacksonville).

Marcia was a faithful member of San Jose Episcopal Church. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting prayer shawls, doll clothes, and baby blankets for church ministries, and she was a Stephen’s Minister and Stephen’s Ministry Leader. She also frequently made afghans and baby blankets for family and friends. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter and designed and made several wedding dresses for loved ones. She was also a founding member of the North American Vocal Ensemble (NAVE—We do Cathedrals!), with whom she performed in Carnegie Hall.

Marcia loved gardening and founded the Green Initiative at Oceanway Middle School. She was an avid birdwatcher and never met a cat or dog that she wouldn’t provide a home. She adopted stray humans pretty often, too. She loved living things, whether they be people, pets, or plants. She was fascinated by Florida’s many bugs, subtropical flora, and plethora of white birds. She enjoyed identifying random picture texts from her sister-in-law’s wanderings into Florida’s wetlands.  She was absolutely fascinated by the fact that kudzu just will not die.

Marcia firmly believed that if she wanted to see the presence of Christ in the world, she had to be the presence of Christ in the world. Hers were the hands of God, and so are yours. She lived a life of quiet and constant service to others, generally humming or laughing as she worked. She loved her wife madly, fiercely, beyond all reason. Her last great act of service was to donate whatever parts of her mortal shell could be used to help those still living.

Marcia will be remembered by many people for the effect she had on their individual lives. She was a true teacher, mentor, supporter, and advocate in every part of her life. She was a great prayer warrior and extremely protective of her loved ones. She told the best stories and had a wicked sense of humor. She was the friend you probably shouldn’t be allowed to sit next to at a serious function, unless you didn’t mind being shushed for your snickers.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She was survived by her wife, Caroline Elizabeth Sampson; her daughters, Linda Agoston, Rhiannon Belle Jackson, Maya Nicole Lampson Harris, and Syan Desney Seecharran; her grandsons, Tyler and Alejandro; her sisters, Shelly Lamkin Bell, Donna Lamkin, and Lauren Lamkin Murdoch (Rich); and numerous niblings and grand-niblings. She believed in the Oxford Comma.

The Celebration of her Resurrection will take place at San Jose Episcopal Church on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 1:00 PM. The Reverend Stephen C. Britt will officiate. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Episcopal Relief and Development , Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry , or your preferred organization to help those in need.