Marcus J. “Mark” Vanzant, 88, Woodbury, TN passed away on June 1, 2026. He was
Moody Vanzant and Lucy Kirby Vanzant, a son, John Dwight Vanzant, a sister, Dorothy
Marshall and the matriarch of their family, Lucy “Weebe” Browning.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Vanzant of Woodbury, TN, children, Debbie (Mike)
Vaughn of Woodbury, TN, Maryann (Jimmy) Hobbs of Palmetto, FL, Marcus (Jennell)
Vanzant, Jr. of Bradenton, FL, Stephen Blaine (Lori) Cox of Knoxville, TN, Terri Jean
(John Saraniero) Cox Schubel of Sarasota, FL, sister, Mary “Sheba” (Ed) Long of St.
Hobbs, Garrett Hobbs, Zachary Vanzant, Tyler Vanzant, Michelle Vanzant, Angel
Rodriguez, Kelby Cox, Cason Cox, and other family and friends.
Mark was educated at St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Augustine, FL and was an altar boy
for the oldest Catholic Cathedral in the United State there in St. Augustine.
Following graduation, Mark joined the Air Force, helping form his character and
assignment for a young man use to beaches and sunshine. He was in what was known
as the Blue Nose Club due to the extreme cold temperatures there causing your nose to
turn blue.
His service ended before the Vietnam War. He later went to work for Pan Am at a
tracking station in the Bahamas during the Cold War. He was there during the very
tense threat of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, maintaining high alert to
monitor for potential incoming missiles.
Mark married in the Bahamas and began a family, moving back to Delray Beach, FL.
There he got into insurance and later became a police officer in the Delray Beach Police
Department. He transitioned to serve with the Florida Highway Patrol there and was
immediately transferred to the Manatee County Highway Patrol. From there, he moved
on to the Palmetto FL Police Department. Mark served in law enforcement over 30
years before retiring as Major for the Palmetto Police Department. He earned many
certifications and regularly trained other young officers at the Police Academy.
Mark met his current wife Shirley by a chance first dance and they finished their final
dance together with a marriage of 50 years. To truly know Mark, was to experience his
special brand of humor. He had a way of seeing things and expressing himself that was
uniquely Mark. This came from his experiences in the Air Force, law enforcement,
another long career in Real Estate, farming, and more. He saw and lived a lot of life
and was really an entrepreneur and jack of all trades. Mark was gifted in woodworking,
problem solving, leading, and had a giant servant’s heart.
He and Shirley moved to Woodbury, TN, 5 years after his daughter Debbie moved there
with her husband Mike. They found their little slice of heaven on earth just a crows fly
from Mike and Debbie’s farm. One of the quirks about Mark and Shirley’s property is
that it seems to be a drop off for unwanted animals. They have adopted or found
homes for numerous dogs and cats and even had an Emu pass through. Mark always
had a special place in his heart for animals. He joked that they were easier to deal with
than people. The two furry friends that captured his heart most were his faithful
companions Shorty and Spooky.
While Mark often saw the dark side of people through his law enforcement experiences,
if you were fortunate enough to be his friend, you had a devoted friend for life. He
moved heaven and earth to help his friends and family and to serve his church and
those in need. When Hurricane Andrew destroyed parts of south Florida, Mark led the
charge to go down to organize and serve. He fought hard to revive Lincoln Middle
School in Palmetto, FL. He could always be found manning the grill for community or
church needs and events. He spear headed a men’s prayer breakfast that led food
drives to help Cannon County residents in need. In the late 90s, he and Shirley hosted
a Bible study in their home that led to the formation of Cannon Community Church, now
The Experience Community Church. Though Mark was a leader, servant, and take
charge kind of man, he did not like to take credit. He wanted God and others to get the
glory.
Mark lived just three days shy of 89. His early years took him through many hard
lessons, but Mark gave his life to Jesus in the early 1980s and began the journey to
form his faith in Christ. He completed that journey, telling his family that if he did not
make it through this final surgery, he would get to see Jesus first. The fullness of his life
in those almost 89 years, is really a novel waiting to be written. His family and friends
can draw many lessons from his not always picture perfect, but servant hearted journey
through time.
A memorial service will be held at The Experience Community Church, Woodbury
campus on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 3:00pm. Pastor Josh Brooker will officiate. In lieu
of flowers, memorials may be given to The Experience Community Church, Woodbury
campus. Share condolences and stories at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com. Gentry-
Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd., Woodbury, TN 37190, 615 563-5337.
Because every life has a story.
