Marie Stallings Monsees

Marie Esther Stallings was born in rural Johnston County, NC, and has been an active part of the Clayton community for much of her life. She graduated from Clayton High School in 1954 and then attended Greensboro Women’s College before meeting and marrying her husband of 67 years, Claude Monsees, in 1956.

Marie was a devoted wife, mother, and “Mimi” and cherished time with her younger sisters, Dianne and Donna. She created treasured memories with her family on the North Carolina coast, spending summers on the water in New Bern, NC, where Marie and Claude were charter members of Blackbeard Sailing Club. The couple raised their two sons in Durham, N.C. before moving to Fort Mill, South Carolina for a time. When they returned to Clayton, Marie helped to establish a Newcomers Club to welcome families to the community. She was an active member of the Clayton Woman’s Club which recognized her as Club Woman of the Year, the Clubwoman with Heart, and the Citizenship Award. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Clayton and was part of the Eph Whisenhunt Bible Study Group.

Marie was a nurturer, and her nurturing spirit was showered over her family members, her friendships, her furry companions (Skipper, Sandy, and Charlie), and even the flowers in her impeccably kept garden. She opened her heart to everyone, listening to their thoughts and feelings with compassion and without judgment. She was patient and forgiving and imparted her wisdom with a quiet grace. She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Paeton and Pearl Stallings and brother Milford (Tommy) Paeton Stallings, Jr. She is survived by a loving and devoted family which includes husband Claude Monsees and his sister Linda Monsees Brantley, Betty Stallings (wife of deceased brother Tommy), sons Michael (and wife Kelly) and Russell (and wife Sandra), her sisters Dianne Carroll (and husband Jerry) and Donna Kabat, her grandchildren Robin, Bailey, Molly, Joshua, and Matthew, and beloved nieces and nephews.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 6th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Clayton (411 N. Fayetteville St.). In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Marie’s memory and passions by making a donation to one