Marian Mae McNaught Sorrell

Marian Mae McNaught Sorrell, 90, of Highland Springs, Va., died on January 19, 2015, following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born May 19, 1924 in Des Moines, Iowa, the youngest child of Ethel and Samuel McNaught. Her father was a minister in the temperance movement and instilled high ethics and moral values in Marian that lasted her lifetime. Marian spent her early childhood in Iowa eventually moving with her family to Ohio, where she graduated from Sunbury High School in 1942 as Valedictorian of her class. Marian graduated from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio in 1946. In her senior year of college, she met her future husband, James Gilmer "Gilly" Sorrell, who survives her. Marian and Gilly Sorrell were married on June 8, 1947 in her hometown of Condit, Ohio. Marian later earned her teaching credentials from the University of Richmond and completed her education when she received her master's degree in English education from the College of William & Mary in 1974.

Marian and Gilly were long-time residents of Highland Springs moving there in 1947. Marian was an English teacher at Highland Springs High School, serving as the English Department Chair for most of her tenure ( 1958-1989). She loved teaching senior English literature and enjoyed the arts, and participated in many plays and musicals. She often took her students to the theater to broaden their appreciation of the arts. Marian loved to go on summer excursions with the MathScience Innovation Center and the College of William & Mary and her church. She traveled to all 50 states and was a world traveler with adventures to Africa, Australia, South America and the Galapagos Islands among others.

Marian was also an avid reader and the love of a good book was her passion. Marian was an active member of New Bridge Baptist Church. She leaves behind her son, Victor Sorrell; and daughter, Karen Sorrell. She had three grandchildren, Angelia "Buni" Neighbors (Daniel), Andy Sorrell (Kristen) and Brad Sorrell; great-grandchildren, Nick and Arden Neighbors and Jack Sorrell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sister, Ester McNaught Wolfe and Lucine McNaught McCall.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 8, 2015, from 2 to 4 p.m., with a celebration of life service following at 4 p.m. at the Atlee Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 9271 Shady Grove Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Cox Rd., Suite 130, Glen Allen, Va. 23060.