The City of Marion is mourning the death of its longtime leader.
The city issued a statement Monday saying Mayor Bobby Gerald has been a dedicated servant to the citizens of the City of Marion for more than 30 years, and his passing will truly leave a void.
The flag at the Marion Town Hall was lowered to half staff Monday in honor of Mayor Bobby Gerald.
Sunday evening, the mayor passed away after being hospitalized last Wednesday for a heart attack.
Gerald had been the mayor of Marion for 24 years.
Marion resident Sammy Amin voiced his shock at the news. "I was really upset. He did great things for Marion."
Gerald's close friend, State Senator Kent Williams said, "Nobody loved Marion County and the City of Marion as much as Mayor Bobby Gerald did."
Senator Williams said he talked with the mayor last Monday about his re-election plans.
"He went to bed at night thinking how to make this city and this county better. He woke up the next morning thinking about how to improve the quality of life for the citizens in this city."
Williams says Mayor Gerald leaves behind a legacy of accomplishments for the City of Marion.
"The hike and bike trail, I think about all the sewer projects that he put together to extend sewer down 76 to the Amphitheater to bring in industry and business to this city."
He says Gerald's shoes will be hard to fill because of his genuine love for the people of Marion.
"I know life must go on, and it will go on, but it will never be the same in the City of Marion without the presence of Bobby Gerald."
Visitation will be held Tuesday in the sanctuary of Marion Baptist Church on Main Street from 6 p.m. Until 9 p.m.
The mayor's funeral will also be held at Marion Baptist Church at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetary on Highway 76.
Last week, we reported that four council members in Marion hired a private attorney to investigate the mayor, because of a land deal he made with the city seven years ago. They say it was a conflict of interest and an ethics violation.
The mayor had a lawsuit against those four council members concerning an ordinance they passed..
No word right now on the status of either.
