Marcella Diane Blades

Marcella Diane Murphy Blades peacefully entered into her eternal, heavenly home on Sunday, September 20, 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Emma Murphy of Cove City and her loving husband of 50 years, Duane Blades. She is survived by her children Marci Wilson (fiancé Tim Barrow) of Cove City, NC and Joshua Blades (wife Kerry Partis) of Oak Island, NC. She is also survived by two granddaughters Jordan Adams (husband Christopher Adams) and Madison Wilson. She had one great grandson Wyatt Bruce Scott Adams, who always brought a smile to her face, even on the cloudiest of days.

Diane lived the majority of her life in Cove City. After marrying her loving husband, Duane, who served for his country in the USMC, they moved to Jacksonville NC. After his service years, they moved to Orlando, FL briefly, but her heart was in Cove City, so they moved back home.

For over 20 years Diane was involved in Emergency Medicine, initially volunteering with Cove City Rescue Squad. Her care and compassion for her patients lead her to a full-time career working for Craven Regional EMS for over 17 years as well as Convalescent Transports, while still volunteering for Cove City.

Her happiest of times were spent at baseball fields all over the US from the young T-ball years of her children all the way through watching her son Joshua play college baseball for Campbell University.

Diane never knew a stranger and was always willing to help anyone in need. Until her decline in health, she was an active member of Cove City Free Will Baptist Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, ladies auxiliary, young women’s outreach and various other committees. Her love for the Lord was never ending.

The last several years of her life took a toll on her body and her health declined tremendously after losing her husband, Duane, last year. She was ready to be called home. We are rejoicing her homecoming and knowing she has been reunited with daddy and no longer suffering. Although we are mourning the loss of her tremendously, we are trying to find peace that if she is finally at rest.

Please join us for a celebration of life ceremony at 2 p.m. on Saturday September 26, 2020 at Cove City Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery. Keeping everyone safe is our first priority, so therefore we will only be having a graveside service with Pastor David Thompson officiating. The family welcomes anyone who would like to visit at the home to stop by anytime.