A graveside inurnment service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 23, at Arlington Baptist Church Cemetery, 9801 Arlington Church Road, Mint Hill, NC, 28227, the Reverend Mark Perko, from Deep Creek Baptist Church in Wadesboro, will be officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Family Life Center (fellowship hall) at Arlington Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughters, Freda Pierre (Albert); Myrna Shrum (Bobby); grandchildren, Michael Pierre, James Wright (Mary), Christopher Pierre, Michelle Shrum and Thomas Shrum; great-grandchildren, Todd Garland (Felicia), Josie Garland, Jaden Wright, Katie Lynn Pierre, Tristen Pierre, Jimmy Wright, Tabatha Pierre and Shelby Pierre, great-great-grandchildren, Kyleigh Braddock, Caidan Braddock, Sawyer Garland and Ryder Garland.
Also surviving are her siblings, Deloris Birmingham (the late Roy), twin sister Carolyn Eudy (Bill); Jeanette Larsen (Pete); Larry Linker and numerous loving nieces, a nephew and extended family.
Marolyn was born on June 16, 1944, the daughter of the late J.W. and Wilene Wilson Linker. She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Robert (Bob) Efird. She graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in 1962. Marolyn and Bob were married on her 18th birthday and with Bob being in the Navy the couple lived in several different states throughout their marriage, Maryland, Rhode Island, Washington, California and North Carolina, but Marolyn always called Mint Hill home. She was born in a very small house on Hwy 218 in Mint Hill near I-485. In those days, doctors came to the house to deliver babies, and her parents were very surprised when the doctor said, “I am going back to get the other one” as they didn’t know they were expecting twins, Carolyn was born first and Marolyn came out second.
Marolyn cherished the time she spent with her family and was affectionately known as “MawMaw”. When her grandbabies were very small, Marolyn often found joy holding and rocking them to sleep and would sit and hold them for hours while they slept…she always felt those spider webs could wait. Marolyn was a loving and devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She had a solid foundation of faith and love for her family who she cherished.
Marolyn’s joyful personality, smile and zest for life was contagious and brought much happiness to all who were blessed to know her. And let’s not forget her spirited personality that was highly entertaining through her sense of humor. She will be greatly missed by all, but a special place will always remain in our hearts reserved just for her.
She was a life-long Baptist and a member of Arlington Baptist Church, Mint Hill, NC She started attending around the age of 8 years old and was baptized in 1959 at Arlington along with her parents and sisters Deloris and Carolyn. At Arlington, she worked with the very young children during the Sunday school and loved every minute of it; she had 18 years of perfect attendance at the church. She loved working with children and was faithful to her lord. She truly lived a life devoted in service to God and others and she will be remembered for her great faith.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Hospice Care of Anson and Union County for excellent level of care and compassion provided during her time of need, especially Monica, Tonya and Sharon. The family would also like to extend their deepest appreciation to Nancy Hunsucker, her niece Toni Birmingham, Katie Winfree, Regina Coward and Peggy Pierre. And a special thank you to her grandson, Christopher Pierre, which has helped care for her for the past several years.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to Hospice of Anson and Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Bld., Monroe, and NC 28110.
