Marion Frances Creswell

Charlotte - Marion, 94, Retired Dance Teacher, beloved and joyful Philanthropist, died May 22, 2015 at Aldersgate United Methodist Retirement Center.

Marion was born in Wadesboro, NC on January 22, 1921 to James Cecil Rogers, a Navy Gymnast during WWI, and Clorissa Jean Barnette, a singer and dancer in New York. She graduated from Wadesboro High School in 1939. She was voted most talented, most likely to succeed, most popular, captain of the girls basketball team, president of the Beta Club, and most athletic.

After the death of her mother, she gave up college to help her father with her six brothers and sisters. She taught dancing in Wadesboro until she met and married Ralph Anthony Tigniere, and moved to Charlotte in 1941. She and her son, Ralph A. Tigniere, Jr., attended Dilworth United Methodist Church while her husband was serving in the Marines.

After the war, Marion started to teach dance again; first, Ballroom at Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire studio, and then tap and ballet. In 1948, she opened her own studio, “The Marion Tigniere Conservatory of Dance.” She was the first to teach modern dance in Charlotte. For years, she would study in New York in the summer at the June Taylor School of Dance and the Ballet Russe De Monte Carlo. She took great pride in being the first to fill Ovens Auditorium for a recital in 1956. Marion loved her students and the lasting relationships with so many of them.

In 1978, Marion was recognized for her contributions to the quality of the arts of the Charlotte community by the Charlotte City Council, and received a certificate of appreciation from Mayor Ken Harris. Following the death of her husband, she retired and moved to Aldersgate United Methodist Retirement Community.

Marion became a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church in 1962, where she taught aerobatics to the United Methodist Women’s group, served as Circle Chairman, a member of the UMW Choir and a member of the Stephen Ministry. While a member of the Fellowship Class, she met and married George J. Creswell, retired Director of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, and Endowment Director of the Foundation of the Carolinas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Ralph A. Tigniere; her son, Ralph A. Tigniere, Jr.; her brothers, James C. Rogers Jr, Jason D. Rogers of Florida; and sisters, Ellery Jean Rogers Pepper of California, Doris A. Rogers Cartwright, and Barbara Ann Roger Knight; and her second husband, George J. Creswell.

She is survived by her three granddaughters and four great-granddaughters; her brother, Milton (Buddy) Kenneth Rogers and wife, Nina, of Texas; and nephew, Ken Rogers.

The funeral service will be held at Myers Park United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend Bill Roth officiating. Visitation will be held in the Jubilee Hall following the service. Interment at Sharon Memorial Park Mausoleum will be private.

Memorials may be made to Aldersgate UM Retirement Community, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215 or Myers Park UMC, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC.