Marianne Ferrell

1944 - 2014

Marianne Ferrell, 69, of Arlington passed peacefully from this earth on Thursday, July 24, 2014. Memorial service: A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Tate Springs Baptist Church, 4201 Little Rd., Arlington, 76016. Refreshments for friends and family will be served one hour prior to the service. Marianne was born and grew up in Beaumont, where she graduated from French High School. She attended Lamar University where she received her bachelor of science and teaching certifications. She also met the love of her life, Reg, as she marched alongside him in the Lamar Cardinal Marching Band. She and Reg were married just short of 49 years as he passed in April of this year. She loved her family dearly and spent many years as a supportive mother and homemaker. Marianne returned to her great love of teaching after her daughters graduated from high school. She taught English at Boles Junior High in Arlington for over 20 years. She loved literature and considered herself both a writer and a poet. Marianne was an avid reader and she loved poetry, mysteries and history. While at Boles, she developed reading programs and helped many students discover their admiration for the written word. She was a strong believer in the power of prayer and was confident in the Lord's ability to work in our lives. A member of Tate Springs Baptist Church since 1981, she played in the orchestra and developed many beautiful, lasting friendships. Marianne truly exemplified the characteristics of an amazing woman. She was kind, giving, loving, and always tried to make this world a better place for anyone fortunate enough to meet her. Her heart was big, but her spirit even bigger and with her passing all who knew her will miss that one-of-a-kind presence so filled with joy, the hearty timbre of her laugh, and the calming warmth of her love. She held various titles throughout the course of her life, but one role she held sacred was that of a teacher. The lessons she taught will continue to resonate with those who had the opportunity to know her, but the message inherent in all was her constant strength and undeniable hope. As author Jeanette Walls said, "The women I know with strong personalities, the ones who might have become generals or the heads of companies if they were men, become teachers. Teaching is a calling. And I've always thought that teachers in their way are holy angels leading their flocks out of the darkness." Marianne was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald Patten Ferrell; and her parents, William and Marietta Walker. Survivors: She is survived by daughters, Amberley Ferrell and Falicia Cartwright; son-in-law, Craig Cartwright; granddaughters, Katharine Grieser and Lindsay Cartwright; grandson, Nicholas Gomez; great-grandson, Riley Vann Condreay; brothers, William and Mary Jane Walker, James Robert and Jennifer Walker; mother-in-law, Frances Ferrell-Huber; brother-in-law, Michael and Susan Ferrell; and many precious nieces, nephew and close friends; and finally, her loving dog, Ashes.