Funeral service for Deacon Retired SGT Marcel Christopher Rolla, 57 of Killeen, TX will be held Friday, March 18, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at Christian House of Prayer in Copperas Cove. Burial with full military honors will follow the service at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

Viewing will be held two hours prior to the service (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) at the church.

Mr. Rolla passed away February 14, 2022, in Waco, TX.

Services can be viewed via Zoom: Meeting ID - 477 877 2534   Passcode - Rolla

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09iDCV5EEN8

Marcel Christopher Rolla was born to his parents Gerald Belonga and Maurine Mary Nance in New Orleans, LA on March 26, 1964. He would be raised by his beloved Uncle Ben Rolla and dear Auntie Marva Rolla of Ft. Worth, TX. Marcel was a twin to his sister Marcella. He was the seventh child of six other siblings. Upon attending the area schools, he graduated from Southwest High School class of 1982 in Ft. Worth, TX.

After high school he entered the United States Army. This is where he decided to change his last name to "Rolla." His military career journey would take him around the world, starting in Korea. This tour would prove to be life changing by having a God encounter and receiving Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Once he completed the Korea assignment he was stationed stateside at Ft. Belvoir, Va. As destiny would prevail, it fell on a day when Marcel attended a church service in his new community that he met the love of his life Gala Quarterman. After a year of courtship, they married on April 21, 1990. From this union came three beautiful daughters that he cherished dearly, Markeiah, Markayla, and Markira. Marcel's military journey finally landed him at Ft. Hood, TX where he retired with an honorable discharge of 21 years of excellent, exemplary, faithful, outstanding meritorious service to his country.

His skill of specialty was 44B20-metal worker. He received the Bronze Star Medal/Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award) Purple Heart/Army Achievement Medal (11thAward) Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award)//National Defense Service Medal//Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal//Global War on Terrorism Service Medal//Armed Forces Medal AFSM//Iraq. Marcel received numerous other awards and citations.

Marcel's other areas of employment after retiring included working for the Oshkosh Defense Corporation Killeen, TX, as a welder. Then a brief time as a meat cutter with the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Ft. Hood, TX and later as a Pickup/ Delivery Driver with TNK Services LLC, Killeen, TX.

The family would join the Christian House of Prayer Ministry March 1999. Immediately he joined the usher's ministry, then the Soul Winning Action Team (SWAT). Marcel and Gala desired to go further in their relationship with God. They enrolled in the Sonship School of the Firstborn and graduated in the 2011 class. The Lord was preparing Marcel and Gala to be trusted with more. Shortly thereafter they were ordained to the office of Deacon on May 26, 2013.

This man of God used the office of a deacon well. He was reachable and touchable. Our Deacon Marcel was precious to all of us. He had a passion for souls to be saved. His favorite scripture became Micah 6:8, "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Deacon Marcel walked among us encouraging us and handling us with such genuine kindness. His voice could be heard echoing throughout the sanctuary when the Word of God he loved was preached.

His leisure activities included the outdoors of fishing and hunting. He enjoyed going for rides on his Harley motorcycle feeling the wind. From time to time, he watched the old classic NBA championship games of the Chicago Bulls in their hay days. But Marcel most of all loved spending time doing cooking ventures with new recipes and serving them to the family to taste test. Now as this journey of life has ended, we know that he rests from his labors and his works truly follow him. Marcel has made an imprint in our hearts that can never be erased. Deeply missed certainly he will be.

He leaves to rejoice in his memory: wife of 31 years Gala; daughters: Markeiah (Stephen) Copperas Cove, TX, Markayla and Markira of Killeen, TX.

His memory is cherished by: father, Gerald Belonga; siblings, Charmaine Boulanger (Gary) of Fircrest, WA, Patrice Belonga of New Orleans, LA, Sherri Belonga (Darry) of New Orleans, LA, Gerald Belonga, Jr. (Odessa) of New Orleans, LA.

He is preceded in death by: mother, Maurine Nance; Uncle Ben and Aunt Marva Rolla; Twin sister, Marcella Belonga (Wendell); brother, Harold Belonga (Vandal).