Miriam Leavitt Mrs. Marks

Sunset Beach - Miriam Leavitt Marks, formally of Rockingham, N.C. died peacefully at her home at Sunset Beach, N.C. surrounded by her family on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. She was born December 16, 1919, in Wadesboro, N.C., the eldest child of Harvey Hamilton Leavitt and Frances Moore Leavitt. Miriam graduated from Wadesboro High School where she was voted 'most popular' - a fact not surprising to anyone who ever met her. She attended Meredith College, majoring in home economics and went on to create a warm and wonderful home for her family. Miriam married Walter Raymond Marks in 1939, and together they raised two daughters and owned and operated Marks Funeral Home in Rockingham for 50 years. During their 60 year marriage they entertained and traveled extensively - making new friends wherever they went. She and Raymond loved to dance, a passion that was fueled in 1938 at the N.C. Debutante Ball by a little-known band leader named Glen Miller. Miriam was an avid bridge player, loved reading and was a member of many book clubs and garden clubs over the years. She was also a member of First United Methodist Church in Rockingham and Seaside Methodist Church at Sunset Beach. Miriam was well known for the many active roles she played in the Rockingham and Sunset Beach communities. However, her greatest legacy is how she made people feel everyday- welcome, important and loved. She is survived by her loving daughters Miriam Wray Marks and Jacque Marks Mason, her devoted granddaughters Marianna Mason Sheridan (Trey Sheridan) and Miriam Mason Thompson (Davis Thompson), and her great-grand children Bo and Mason Sheridan and Kate and Mary Davis Thompson. Also surviving are her brother-in-law Rev. Frank Marks and his wife Rachel. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband W. Raymond Marks, her sister Frances Leavitt Malone and brother Harvey H. Leavitt, Jr. A private family service will be held in Rockingham Friday, October 19, 2012. Memorials may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401; Seaside United Methodist Church, 1300 Seaside Rd. SW, Sunset Beach, NC 28468; or First United Methodist Church, 410 E. Washington St., Rockingham, NC 28379. Leavitt Funeral Home is serving the Marks Family. Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfuneralhomewadesboro.com. No service information has been added.