Tallulah Frances Marshbourne

Tallulah Frances Marshbourne October 6, 1933 – October 7, 2018 With our hearts broken, we share the news that our beloved Tallulah Frances Marshbourne slipped quietly away from us and into the arms of God on October 7, 2018, the morning after her 85th birthday. Born October 6, 1933, she was the first daughter of George Warren Marshbourne, Sr. and Willie Helen Privette Marshbourne and the beloved sister of Joseph, George Warren Jr., Mary Anne, Helen and Betty. A graduate of Spring Hope High School and East Carolina Teacher’s College, Frances spent a lifetime full of learning, teaching, and giving back to her faithful community of family, friends, and students. She was a constant and steady voice of love and encouragement to all who were fortunate enough to have known her. Her faith in God was unwavering as was her devotion to the Order of the Eastern Star and the community she worshiped with at Cypress Chapel Baptist Church. In her lifetime, she left a legacy of quiet and unassuming kindness within the lives of so many; as a public school teacher, a home school teacher, a piano teacher, an avid needle crafter, a gifted gardener, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a great aunt, and a friend. We can only hope to move forward sharing the lessons we learned from her: to give of your time and talents with abandon, to greet each morning with happiness, to always be a willing student and teacher, to spend time with your hands tending the soil of a garden, and that great comfort comes simply by connecting through a phone call, meal shared, or card mailed. There was truly a village of love that sustained Frances during her later years, and especially over the past few weeks and months as her health began deteriorating. While it is impossible to list everyone we are thankful for, because there were so many of you who showed Frances love and care in her life, please know each of you was a special and valued part of Frances\'s life. We are grateful to Randy Bryant and his family who did so much for her daily needs including, but not limited to, yard work, grocery shopping and even picking up food from her restaurants of choice. Another bright light for Frances was her weekly visit from Deborah Keeny who kept Frances\'s house tidy and ready for the steady stream of visitors coming through her doors. Deborah not only cleaned, but would offer gentle assistance for Frances\'s daily needs whenever she visited. Our hearts will also be forever grateful to Sharon Coble, Jill Green, and Jen Sheridan who gave heart and soul to Frances making her last weeks joyous beyond measure. Living, learning and rejoicing together with her caregivers meant Frances continued her life\'s passion of teaching and encouraging even through her final days. Saying \'thank you\' feels inadequate as we reflect on the precious gift of time together and the love these ladies gave Frances. The comfort our family felt knowing she was happy, safe, and loved through the very end was invaluable. Finally, one of the most important members of Frances\'s village was her dear friend, Dorothy Tyson, who for months came to Frances\'s home on a daily basis to assist Frances with her evening meal and would provide her with a ride to church on Sunday morning. She was also one of Frances\'s regular caregivers in these final weeks of her time on Earth. These two, Frances and Miss Dot, had a rich bond of friendship that few ever experience in life. Our gratitude for this friendship is endless. Frances was surely reunited in heaven with her parents, George and Helen; brother George Warren and his wife, Betty Jean Leonard Marshbourne; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Joyner Marshbourne (Joseph), and brother-in-law, Anwar Saadeh (Mary Anne) who all preceded her in death. The loss of her gentle spirit here on Earth is felt acutely by her surviving family; brother, James Joseph Marshbourne, sisters Mary Anne Marshbourne Saadeh, Helen Marshbourne Bissette (Elton) and Betty Marshbourne Lewis (Bill). Although we will all miss her daily, we know that Frances’s abundant love will continue to resonate and be reflected in the lives of her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A funeral will be held at Cypress Chapel Baptist Church in Spring Hope on Friday, October 12 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation with the family will follow the service. Remembrances may be sent to Cypress Chapel Baptist Church, 4210 Seven Paths Road, Spring Hope, North Carolina 27882. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.