Marie Smith Jarvis

Marie Smith Jarvis, age 96, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Born and raised in Pink Hill, North Carolina, she grew up on her parents tobacco farm. Marie attended B.F. Grady High School, where she was honored as "Most Athletic Female" and crowned "Miss B.F. Grady" during her senior year.After graduating high school, Marie moved to Durham to attend Watts School of Nursing. Following her graduation, she began her career at Duke Hospital. During this time, she met the love of her life, Hallett (Hal) Jarvis, shortly after he completed his studies at Duke University. They married and spent the first two years of their marriage in Charleston, South Carolina, before returning to Durham to settle and raise their family. Hal went on to establish a restaurant business in Carrboro, while Marie devoted herself to raising their two children.Once her children reached high school, Marie returned to work, first at Lenox Baker Childrens Hospital, where she worked for 12 years, and later at the State Youth Behavioral Hospital in Butner, until her retirement. A faithful member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Durham, Marie found joy in her family, her faith, and her lifelong friendships. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished friend.Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hal; her parents, Essie Ione and Jones Matthew Smith; her sisters, Doris Strickland and Ruth Teel; and her brothers, Russell, Gordon, Bill, Sidney Earl and Shelton Smith.She is survived by her daughter, Harriett Stepuch, and her husband, Richard Stepuch; her son, Ward Jarvis, and his wife, Sherri Wright Jarvis; her grandchildren, Dr. Carmen Yates (Jeremy), Kimberly Woodruff (Brendon), Kelly Stepuch, Dr. Kevin T. Jarvis (Leah Whitt), and Dr. Scott W. Jarvis (Dr. Emily Wilson); and her great-grandchildren, Sadie, Nolan, and Josie Yates; Addisyn, Grant, Clara, and Aiden Woodruff; Juliana Stepuch and Joel Stepuch; and Palmer and Millie Jarvis.A memorial service will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 1 pm at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 1737 Hillandale Road, Durham, NC 27705.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 1737 Hillandale Road, Durham, NC 27705.The family is being assisted by Cremation Society of the Carolinas, Raleigh NC.
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