loving family in the devoted care of Hospice after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Born June 16, 1936 in Birmingham, Alabama, Marinell was the daughter of the late Viola Waits
and Nelson Edward Smith.
She met the love of her life, Oran Marcus, while working at Ed Salem’s Drive-in as a car hop. When Oran’s job moved him to Georgia and later to Charlotte, she dedicated her life to raising their four children. Being a Girl Scout Troop leader, playing tennis and spending summers at Starclaire Swim and Tennis Club with her family, receiving an award for Volunteer of the Year at CMS and running many 10Ks over the years were some of the highlights of her life.
In 1980 she started a 30 year career at Bank of America until she retired to become the dedicated caregiver for her love, Oran, as he fought his own battle with Alzheimer’s for many years before his death in 2004.
Marinell never went a day without missing Oran, and her family knows they are now dancing
together in Heaven.
Marinell is survived by her four children, Andrew (Denise) Marcus, Bobbie (John) Tatar, Jimmy
(Diana) Marcus, Rachel (Mike) Rodden; her 8 grandchildren, Alexis, Andrea, Taylor, Jacob,
Noah, Sam, Melissa and Jessica; and her 5 great grandchildren, Riley, Emmie, Lyla, Sofia
and Stella.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Nelson, Betty Jean, Jackie and Jerry.
After a private burial, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 1 pm at McEwen Funeral Home - Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210. The family will receive friends following the service.
For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.act.alz.org.
On-line condolences may be shared at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.
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