Born in Washington, NC on September 6, 1930, E.C. grew up in Cary, NC with her parents and 2 sisters. She graduated from Cary High School in 1948 where she lettered in basketball. After graduation, E.C. attended UNC-Greensboro, then known as Women’s College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1952. She started teaching home economics in Middlesex, NC after graduation, and married the love of her life, Bill Marley, in 1953.
After the wedding they lived in eastern North Carolina, including Wilmington, Rockingham and Goldsboro, where their sons Sid, Sandy and Scott were born.
After settling in Goldsboro in 1960, she spent many wonderful and challenging hours raising and refereeing her boys. In 1972 she started teaching 3-year-old kindergarten at St. Paul United Methodist Church. It was both a call and a joy to touch the lives of hundreds of young children. E.C. retired from teaching when she and Bill moved to Cary in 1985.
Throughout her life, E.C. enjoyed cross-stitching, playing bridge, working in her yard, and spending time with friends and neighbors. She and Bill were active in church, loving and serving others at St. Luke UMC in Goldsboro and First UMC in Cary.
After Bill’s retirement, they frequently volunteered together, including the American Red Cross and as voting poll workers. E.C. was a long-time member of the FUMC Agape Circle and served as Stephens Minister.
Most of all, E.C. enjoyed spending time with her 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Even from an early age, her grandchildren knew their arrival was eagerly anticipated as they were greeted by the open garage door and Grandma waiting in the drive.
E.C. is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Sid and Denise of Jamestown, Sandy and Teri of Troutman, and Scott and Lisa of Cary; grandchildren Kate Lauver and husband Jon, Tori Marley, Chap Marley, Alison Ellison and husband Brad, Christina Little and husband James, Amanda Salter and husband Cam, Colton Marley, Alexis Douglas and husband Joshua, Michaela Pizzuto and husband Barak, and Stephen Marley; sister Patricia Gruber and husband Ira of Houston; her many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins who she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years William “Bill” Marley, her parents Mildred and Everett Sanderford, and her sister Barbara McEntire and husband Harold.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Cary, 117 S. Academy Street, Cary at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Memorials can be given to the First United Methodist of Cary - Building Fund or 3HC Home Health & Hospice Care, Goldsboro, NC.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Cremations is honored to be serving the Marley family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared within "add a memory".
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