Brian & Marilyn Bisbee
Humanitarians & Civic Leaders
In 2003, Brian and Marilyn Bisbee came to Carthage to lead the Carthage Crisis Center, beginning 13 years of service that would transform the organization and leave a lasting impact on the community.
Brian had previously practiced law for 18 years, primarily in central Iowa, before moving with Marilyn to Tennessee, where they operated a retail and Internet business. When an opportunity to lead the Carthage Crisis Center arose, Brian was initially reluctant. After Marilyn encouraged him to pray about the decision, they became convinced that Carthage was where they were meant to serve.
When the Bisbees arrived, the Crisis Center was a 16-bed facility primarily serving as an overnight shelter. They quickly recognized that the community's needs extended far beyond providing a bed for the night. Under their leadership, the center expanded its hours, services and capacity, eventually serving families, single women and others facing homelessness and difficult circumstances.
Brian and Marilyn believed the Crisis Center should be a place where people could regain stability, learn life skills and experience dignity and compassion. They embraced the idea of second chances, understanding that those rebuilding their lives would sometimes make mistakes. Their approach combined clear expectations with a willingness to give people another opportunity.
Marilyn was deeply involved in the daily life of the center, preparing meals and creating an environment where residents could experience community. Mealtimes became opportunities to teach cooperation and social skills, while the center's open-door dinner policy allowed people in need to receive a meal even if they were not residents.
Brian brought his legal experience and leadership skills to the center, while both worked closely with churches, businesses, volunteers and community organizations to expand their resources. What began as a small shelter eventually became a much larger operation with expanded sleeping capacity, food storage and a significant regional food-distribution program.
Food became one of the Bisbees' greatest areas of community impact. They developed relationships with businesses, churches, farms and individuals to collect and distribute donated food. By 2015, the Crisis Center was distributing approximately 500,000 pounds of food annually to a network of about 70 organizations, extending the Bisbees' impact far beyond those staying at the shelter.
Brian also became a trusted connector for families experiencing emergencies. Working with organizations including the Carthage Ministerial Alliance and Crosslines, he helped connect people with housing, financial assistance and other resources. When Brian and Marilyn retired from the Crisis Center in January 2016, they left behind far more than an organization. They left a legacy of compassion, partnership and service to people who were often at their most vulnerable.
