Marilyn Payne Staley

Marilyn Payne Staley, 77, of New Bern, North Carolina passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025, after a brief illness. Marilyn was born in Farmville, Virginia on November 5, 1947, to the late Reubin Anderson Payne and Mildred Arlene Aigner Payne.

Marilyn was a very successful recruiter, winning numerous awards during her career. Always wanting to be busy, she became immersed in community groups and activities after her retirement. She was a member of the Taberna Country Club and the New Bern Historical Society, where she was very active in helping to organize their annual golf tournament. She enjoyed the game of golf and played with the Ladies Golf Association.

Marilyn loved her community, family, and friends, but indeed had a servant’s heart for the Lord. She was devoted to her church, St. Andrew Lutheran. She was a member of the choir, the Stewardship Committee, served on the Finance Committee, on the Church Council as Social Action Chairman, and enjoyed her involvement with VOLT. Another joy in Marilyn’s life was volunteering with RCS, and being a member of the weekly Community Bible Study group at Crossroads Baptist Church.

Marilyn shared a love of wine and travel with her husband. These two things often went hand in hand as each destination provided an opportunity to learn more about the wines of the region. As Marilyn’s collection of wine grew, so did her impressive knowledge.

Thankful for her life and left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband of 29 years, Gary Staley; sister Patty Howard and her husband Woody; brother Norman Payne and his wife Freda; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Reubin Payne, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to honor her memory to either St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 1605 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560; or The Samaritan’s Purse, https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online.

A funeral service will be held at St. Andrew Lutheran Church on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 11:00. Inurnment immediately follows in the church’s columbarium.

Online condolences may be shared at www.cottenfuneralhome.com