Mary Lena Seiver

Mary Lena Owen Seiver, 92, went to heaven peacefully on Friday, December 1, 2017. She was born in Eustis, Florida on May 22, 1925, she was the daughter of the late M. Martin and Elizabeth Ward Owen, Mary Lena is preceded in death by her loving husband, the Rev. Marion Anderson Seiver; and her granddaughter, Ashley Odom.

Mary Lena grew up in Plant City, Florida and attended Mars Hills College for one year before returning home to marry her childhood sweetheart Marion Anderson Seiver in 1945. She was a loving wife, mother, and served tirelessly as a pastor’s wife in the churches her husband pastored, teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, playing the piano, singing in the choir, hosting guest speakers in her home, leading ladies prayer circles, counseling, and organizing events. She sewed beautifully and loved tending to her flowers.

Mary Lena leaves behind to cherish her memory, her son, Randy Seiver and his wife Vickie of Cartago, Costa Rica; her daughters, Deborah Odom and her husband Randall of Monroe, NC, and Melinda Van Zant and her husband, Dennis of Rocky Mount. Mary also leaves behind a legacy of thirteen grandchildren, Nate Seiver, Charis Seiver, Angie Cibula, Amy Pantages, Jim Pantages, Jason Pantages, Ryan Odom, Whitney Mills, Ariel Watson, Tyler Van Zant, Travis Van Zant and Garrett Van Zant and nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Margaret Goodroe of Ocala, Florida and Ann Kickliter of Tallahassee, Florida.

A Funeral Service Celebrating Mary Lena’s Life will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 3:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Dr. Randall Odom and Rev. Tim Griffin officiating. Visitation with the family will follow the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.

A Graveside Service will take place Friday, December 8, 2017 at 10:00 AM in Mary Lena’s home town at Oak Lawn Cemetery, 1900 North Wheeler Street, Plant City, FL 33563 with the Dr. Randall Odom officiating.

Mary Lena’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Cottage at Spring Arbor, Rocky Mount and the Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash Health Care, as well as her supportive church family at Christ Covenant Church.

In lieu of funeral flowers, the Seiver family would like to suggest donations may be made in Mary Lena’s name to Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash Health Care, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, the Alzheimer’s Association, 3737 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612 or the building fund of Christ Covenant Church, 3124 Belmont Lake Drive Rocky Mount NC 27804.

Condolences may be made online at www.wellsmemorial.com.