Marion Perry Biggs

Marion Perry Biggs

GREENVILLE - Marion Elizabeth Perry Biggs, 97, died on Friday January 19th, at the Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice House.

The family will receive friends at Cypress Glen on February 3rd at 3:00pm in the Four Seasons Room. A private graveside service will be held at Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC.

Marion was born to the late Daniel Latham Perry and Melissa Caroline Whichard Perry on November 24, 1920, in Roper NC. At the age of 3 the family moved to Washington, NC where she grew up. She graduated from Washington High School in 1937 and furthered her education at Woman's College of the University of North Carolina. A year before her class would have gradated; she was offered a position as auditor of offices for the newly created USDA, Farmers Home Administration where she was responsible for operations in 52 county offices in North Carolina. She held this position until she married John Waller Smallwood Biggs in 1956. Several years later she became Office Manager for Interstate Johnson Lane Corporation of Greenville, a position she held for 25 years.

She spent many hours volunteering and serving her Greenville community. She was a former President of the Greenville Junior Woman's Club but devoted most of her community service to work with the Service League of Greenville. She was invited to join the Service League in 1960. She served as chairman for numerous committees and for 3 years held the Recording Secretary position. From 1974 to 1976 she served as President of The Service League. In 1973 she was awarded the President's Tray in recognition of her work and later, as a Sustaining Member, the Agnes Wilkerson Award for her willingness to serve. At the time of her death she was an Associate Member.

She had been a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church since 1947. During that time she had been a member of the choir, Clerk to the Vestry for 10 years, a member of the Vestry, and more recently, with another long-time member, set up the operation of St. Paul's Food Pantry. However, she considered her finest gift to the church to be the 20 needlepoint kneelers at the Altar, which she and the other members embroidered. She was also a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, The Daughters of American Colonist and DAR.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband and her brother, Donald Latham Perry of Ft. Lauderdale.

She is survived by her son John Waller Smallwood Biggs, Jr., and his wife Connie and their daughter Rachel, of Charleston, SC, and a dearly loved godchild, Ann Mallison Henofer of Charlottesville, VA.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice House for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Service League of Greenville, Laughinghouse Fund, at P.O. Box 304452, Greenville, NC 27833.

Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home and Crematory.

Online condolences at www.WilkersonFuneralHome.com.

As published in The Daily Reflector