Laverna Marie Will

Marie began her greatest adventure of all on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This trip to the Kingdom of God was the perfect ending to a long and happy life. Marie passed peacefully after a brief illness surrounded by loving friends at the young age of 98. Marie's standard answer to the question of her age was always, "over 60 and under 100," however, that changed after age 90 when she was proud to share the exact number of years well lived.

Marie was born on February 13, 1926, as the only child of Anna Marie Smith and Raymond "Ray" Will in Shepard, a community of Columbus, OH. Marie enjoyed a happy childhood recounting picnics at Buckeye Lake, rides in the rumble seat of her Grandfathers Ford Model A and square dance parties in her grandparents’ home on Collingwood Ave. Marie graduated from Holy Rosary High in 1944 and went on to university becoming a grade school teacher. She eventually transitioned into social work helping unwed mothers and was employed by a large hospital in Chicago. Marie made her home in several states including Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Florida, and finally North Carolina, interrupted only by a move to Todi, Italy before returning to North Carolina and settling in Hickory. She loved poetry, photography, a good mystery novel, flipping real estate, and gardening to name a few. Marie never married or had children which could be the reason she lived to be ninety-eight. Marie lived her life as a devout Catholic.

Marie was a thoughtful, creative, and kindhearted person who was fiercely independent. Truly a woman ahead of her time. She was a consummate listener with a gift of making friends and staying in touch. You could always count on a card in the mailbox, text, or email from Marie to brighten your day. She was a woman of boundless curiosity; someone whose warmth and genuine interest left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen and remembered, often recalling the names of friends, family members, and even pets of those she cherished.

Marie outlived her immediate biological family but was rich with friends as her "adopted" or "chosen" family. She was preceded in death by her parents and close friend Jean McMahon. She leaves behind her beloved "adopted" family Keith Bryant and partner Willie Street, Fannie Bryant, Norma and Benny (Billy) Hartley, "niece" Morgan with husband Hunter and "great niece" Martha Mae Cook. The list of friends is long including Helen Miller and Lynn Swann, Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz, Danielle Cannon, Debbie Shinn, Bryan and Miranda Ward, cousin Joan Flanagan, Martin Otis, and many other treasured friends and neighbors.

In her later years, Maries determination to embrace new technology was a source of admiration. with her iPhone and iPad, she stayed connected, sharing messages, photos, and news with ease, a testament to her lifelong commitment to learning and staying engaged with the world around her. Her sharp mind and inquisitive spirit were her true superpowers, guiding her through life with grace and strength.

Marie navigated the challenges of advanced age with inspiring resilience, retaining a strong sense of independence and always staying true to her wishes. She leaves behind a legacy of love, warmth, and lifelong curiosity, a beautiful model of how to live fully at every stage. Marie will be greatly missed and remembered.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi in Lenoir, 10:00 am on November 16, 2024 with the Father Alfonso Gamez, Jr. officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Condolences may be sent to the Will family at www.drumfh-hickory.com

Drum Funeral Home in Hickory is honored to be serving the Will family.