Marion Geddings Follin III

1942 - 2021

Follin, III, Marion Geddings

March 30, 1942 - January 23, 2021

Greensboro native and longtime resident Marion Geddings Follin, III died peacefully on Januray 23rd at Well Spring Retirement Center.

Mr. Follin was born on March 30, 1942 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the son of the late Marion G. Follin, Jr. and Ellen Mordecai Kelly. Marion was a graduate of Woodberry Forest School in Orange, VA, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1964 – Phi Beta Kappa) and Yale Law School (1967). After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and graduated from the Officer's Candidate School in Newport, RI and served a year with the Mobile Riverine Force in Vietnam. He was admitted to practice law in the courts of the District of Columbia, North Carolina and the United States Tax Court. After 32 years of practice, he retired in 2002 to pursue volunteer opportunities and spend time with his family.

Marion was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and deeply devoted to his church throughout his life, serving and leading on a variety of ministries, committees and commissions, including several terms as senior warden of the Vestry.

He served 3 terms on the Greensboro City Council and on the boards of the Episcopal Conference Center, Canterbury School, the Greensboro Day School and Guilford College. He received great reward from volunteering with the Servant Center and Lutheran Family Service. He likened his time with the men at the Servant Center to the parable of the loaves and fishes, where he said, "you give one loaf and get 12 in return."

Family was of utmost importance to Marion. He was a devoted stepfather and his stepchildren and grandchildren were the highlight of his life. He loved taking them on trips, both stateside and abroad, and making lasting memories for them. He was always in the midst of the grandchildren, the only adult on the floor playing with blocks and cars or on the beach building sand castles. They'll remember him making pancakes and chocolate shakes for them and watching SpongeBob together.

He loved the game of golf, playing since he was a boy, and enjoyed his golf buddies until his primary progressive MS kept him off the course. Always an avid reader, he particularly enjoyed his daily Wall Street Journal, weekly Barron's and annual reports. Known for his intellect, wisdom and sense of humor, he was a man of decency, honor and integrity with a kind and caring spirit. Following his MS diagnosis, he was greatly admired for his positive attitude and outlook.

Mr. Follin is survived by his wife Peggy, his sister and brother-in-law, Lele and Pat Kelly of Charlotte, stepchildren Dr. Richard Page and wife, Katherine Allen, of State College, PA, Melissa Deutsch and husband Dr. Brian Deutsch of Norfolk, VA, Susan Jacobson and husband Denis Jacobson of Greensboro, NC, Marni Luby of Avon, CT, Rick Oglesbee of Charlotte, NC, 12 step-grandchildren, Briar, Charlie and Louise Page, Susan and Douglas Deutsch, Walter and Jack Taylor, Samantha, Caroline and Hayley Luby and Laine and Lawson Oglesbee, niece and nephew Ellen and Kearns Kelly, cousin Carolyn Amiot of Nashville, TN and his best friend, Benjie Cone.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Mr. Follin will be held for the family in the columbarium of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Saturday, January 30th. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 607 N. Greene St., Greensboro, NC 27401 or the Follin Fund, National MS Society, 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 2101, Raleigh, NC 27609.

The family thanks the staff and caregivers at Well-Spring who cared for Marion with dignity, respect and humor and particularly his nurse Tammy Nelson and caregiver Debra Joyce.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is honored to assist the Follin family. Remembrances may be shared by visiting www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.