Marian Dashiell Ballenger

Marian Dashiell Ballenger of New Bern died peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Affectionately known as Sissy, she was born August 16, 1951, in Spartanburg, SC to the late Marian Wrigley of Greenville, SC and Thomas Irwin Dashiell Sr. of Spartanburg, SC. She was the granddaughter of George Wrigley of Macon, GA and Marian Chambers of Marshallville, GA and Edward Lawrence Dashiell Sr. of Richmond, VA and Elizabeth Irwin of Spartanburg, SC.

She graduated from the Spartanburg Day School, attended college in Boston, MA and graduated from Hollins College in Roanoke, VA. She was a lifelong equestrian but especially enjoyed riding horses as frequently as she could in her youth. She never lost her love of horses.

After college, she married the love of her life, Dr. Clarence Eugene Ballenger III (Clancy), and the two started their life together in Charleston, SC. Sissy began her career as a social worker, working tirelessly to help those in need. She was always, and remained until she died, a selfless person. She also taught ballroom dancing, helping put Clancy through medical school.

They then moved to Augusta, GA for Clancy’s residency, where Sissy made many lifelong friends. Soon after, they moved to downtown New Bern, NC, where they raised their three children in a historic home they lovingly restored. The Ballengers eventually moved to Otrento, their wildlife and shooting preserve, horse, and crawfish farm in Trenton, NC. Sissy’s immense creativity flourished at Otrento. It was both created and transformed by her vision into a beautiful haven that was ever-changing and a sanctuary for all who knew it. Otrento was a perpetual canvas upon which she could express her many creative talents and endeavors, not least among them gardening, for which she maintained a lifelong passion.

Sissy was a particularly gifted artist, her preferred medium being oil paints. She painted her entire life, and for a number of years made a career faux finishing homes and businesses in Craven County.

Her charisma, charm, kindness, laughter, and elegance attracted all people who were lucky enough to know her. She numbered her friends by the legion. She never met a stranger and never turned away a person in need. Sissy was an utterly devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.

She is survived by her three children: her daughter Caroline Porcher Ballenger (Joseph Turner Seale Sr.) of Cincinnati, OH, her daughter Marian Roswell Calhoun Ballenger (Justin Allen Barnhill) of Tarboro, NC, and her son Clarence Eugene Ballenger IV (Emma vanBree Ballenger) of New Bern, NC. Four grandchildren; Harriet Porcher Seale, Joseph Turner Seale Jr., Marian Chambers Barnhill, and Henry Allen Barnhill. Three brothers; Frederick Parrish of Spartanburg, SC, Stephen Parrish of Spartanburg, SC, and Dr. Thomas Irwin Dashiell, Jr. of Greenville, SC. As well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving friends. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 51 years, Dr. Clarence Eugene Ballenger III, and by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Irwin Dashiell Sr. of Spartanburg, SC.

She was a generational and lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, a member of the Junior League of Charleston, SC, The North American Falconers Association, and made her debut at the Assembly in Spartanburg. She was for many years involved with historic preservation in both Charleston, SC and New Bern, NC. In her final year of life, she dedicated her time volunteering for Meals on Wheels with her very best friend, Josephine Aiken. She was involved with numerous other charities and organizations throughout her life, but her greatest impact was on the individual people she met along the way. She adored her family and friends. She possessed true generosity, loveliness, and grace, inspiring those around her. Her joie de vivre was ever present.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at 10am at Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) or Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas.