October 1, 2026
MARIETTA, Ga. — Pastor Joseph Marshall Reinhardt, a Southern Baptist minister for more than 75 years, went home to meet his Creator and Savior at age 101 on March 11, 2026. He was born on Dec. 1, 1924, to his parents, Tom and Elizabeth Reinhardt of Waleska, Georgia.
Rev. Reinhardt was married to Mary Ruth Kelley of Canton, Georgia, for 57 years. He is preceded in death by both his parents, his wife Ruth, and four brothers and sisters. Survivors include his son Joe Reinhardt and wife Frances of Marietta; his son Tommy Reinhardt and wife Joy of Kennesaw; his four grandchildren; his five great-grandchildren; and his three great-great-grandchildren.
Reinhardt moved to Cobb County in 1953 and pastored numerous churches in the North-Metro Atlanta area, and also worked at Cadillac, painted homes, and drove a school bus.
Jim Turner, chairman of the deacons at the Elizabeth Baptist Church, where Reinhardt has been a member for years, commented, “I had the privilege of being the co-teacher in our Sunday School with Brother Marshall for over two decades. I was not only blessed to hear him teach and preach the word, but I saw him live it with humility and grace. His impact on my life has given me guidance and the will to serve my church with faith in Christ as a Deacon”.
Barbara White, also a member of the Elizabeth Church, had an interesting and heartwarming view of Reverend Reinhardt. She reported, “Marshall once told me he had read the Bible 47 times from cover to cover. He explained that he usually knew a little something about any scripture that other preachers talked about.
“I have known Preacher Reinhardt since 1964. Over the years, he has been a mentor to me. I have the utmost respect for him and his teaching of the Bible and living out the admonitions of God’s Word daily. On one occasion, he refused to marry a couple because he was afraid it would tarnish his reputation as a man of God. Being a man of integrity was the most important thing to him. He preached the Word of God and consistently lived it. He provided a wonderful example for all of us to follow.”
On Dec. 1, 2024, on his 100th birthday, Reinhardt preached from the pulpit of the Awtrey-Westview Baptist Church in Acworth, pastored by his son, Tommy Reinhardt.
Renay Phillips added, “Oh, how I loved this precious man! He’s been in my life for almost 76 years. I’ll always cherish his shared scriptures, phone calls, uplifting encouragement, guidance, his special visit to our home, worshiping together in church, and the many other wonderful memories we shared through these blessed years.”
Like Caleb, Marshall Reinhardt was a man who wholly followed the Lord.
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