Ernest Rafael Marion

Ernest Rafael Marion was born on November 8, 1955 in Salt Lake City, Utah and departed this earthly life on April 9, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest George Marion and his mother Christine Marion. He was fondly called Rafael or Roe by family and friends. He believed in God and accepted Him as the Higher Power in his life and developed his own personal relationship with Him.

Rafael was raised in Seattle, Washington, and educated in the public school system, graduating from Cleveland High School. He became a journeyman plumber and a carpenter and worked as a craftsman in Seattle. He brought his skills and talents, adding roofer to his resume, when he relocated to Pollocksville, North Carolina with his Uncle William “Bill” and Aunt Pauline Marion in the mid -1990s. Rafael fell in love with the area and all it had to offer. He was self- employed and continued to work and live in the surrounding communities. As he became immersed into our way of life, he never expressed any desire to return to Seattle to live, however, he remained in contact with his family and friends. As an avid fisherman, he took advantage of every opportunity to put a fishing line in the water and usually returned with an impressive catch of fish.

Rafael was a loving, friendly, compassionate and outgoing person who never met a stranger. He literally would give away the coat on his back and the last dollar in his pocket. He especially enjoyed spending time with and mentoring the youth.

A Memorial Celebration for Rafael will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at his residence, 512 Brown Avenue, Cove City, NC 28523.

Rafael leaves to mourn and to celebrate his life, in Seattle, Washington , one brother, Maurice Marion, first cousins, William Marion, IV, Marsha Miles, Robin Summerrise, Fai (David) Mathews, Shawn (Gregory) Davis, step-mother, Alma Jean Marion, step-sister, Sarita (Brian) Carter, and two step-nephews, Brian (Sha’niece) Carter, Jr., and Isaiah Nathaniel Carter, two step-great nephews, one step-great niece and dear friend, Greg Kessler. First cousins in Chicago, Melody Bickhem, Adrienne Strickland, Marvella Bowen and Maliaka (Adam) Lebin , His North Carolina family include; Aunt-in-law, Pauline Marion of Pollocksville, father figure, James Walter Mc Conner of Cove City, friend of the heart, Barbara Ralph of Dover, godfather, Fred Dawkins of New Bern, godsons, Eric, Anthony and Alex Agudio of Pleasant Hill. Extended family members holding his memory, Christopher (Michele) Johnson of Pollocksville, Shirley, Selena and Pauline Lamb of Gracie Farms, Reverend Katie Chapman of Cove City, Marticha Loftin of New Bern, and a host of close cousins and friends.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Ernest Rafael Marion.