The Honorable Marion A. Humphrey, Sr.

The Honorable Marion A. Humphrey, Sr., has devoted his life to service through faith, law, and community leadership. For more than 40 years, he has shepherded Allison Memorial Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, while also distinguishing himself as an attorney and public servant. A retired circuit court judge for Pulaski and Perry Counties, he served on the bench from 1993 until 2010, following earlier election as a Little Rock municipal judge for four years.

Born in Pine Bluff on November 2, 1949, Humphrey was the only child of Doris Lee Pendleton and Lewis C. Humphrey. He grew up in a loving household with his mother, a dedicated domestic worker, his aunts, and three cousins—LaWanda Pendleton, Veda Pendleton, Ph.D., and James Andre Pendleton Sr. who became like siblings. All pursued higher education, modeling the value of scholarship that Humphrey embraced throughout his own life. After attending Pine Bluff Public Schools, he went on to graduate from the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. His academic pursuits include a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law, a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, and a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University.

Humphrey’s professional journey has been both wide-ranging and deeply impactful. In addition to private law practice in Pine Bluff and Little Rock, he served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Little Rock, Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arkansas, and Arkansas State Director for Prison Fellowship. He also worked nationally as Director of Prison Services for Prison Fellowship in Virginia and ministered as associate pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Early in his career, he gained valuable experiences a reporter and copy editor for the Pine Bluff Commercial, a research assistant in the office of New York Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, and an intern for Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright.

Respected in both legal and civic circles, Humphrey is a member of the Arkansas Judicial Council, the Arkansas and Pulaski County Bar Associations, and the W. Harold Flowers Law Society. He is also a life member of the National Bar Association and the NAACP. His leadership has included serving as president of the Christian Ministerial Alliance in Little Rock, chaplain of the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association, and board member for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Lyon College, the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home, and theological institutions in Atlanta, GA. He has received numerous awards, including recognition from Philander Smith University, Rotary Club 99, the Pulaski County Bar Association, and A Better Chance and is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

Humphrey is married to Vernita Thomas Humphrey, and together they have one son, Marion A. Humphrey, Jr., his law partner at Humphrey & Humphrey Law, PLLC. He credits his achievements to the encouragement of his mother and the enduring love and faith of his wife. Guided by the words of Luke 12:48— “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”—he continues to exemplify a life of service, leadership, and faith.