Marilyn Turner Hedgpeth

1953 - 2025

Marilyn Turner Hedgpeth

December 24, 1953 - July 23, 2025

Winston-Salem, North Carolina - Marilyn Turner Hedgpeth, 71, had her baptism made complete on July 23, 2025. With deep love and sadness, we celebrate the extraordinary life of Marilyn, who died due to a tragic bicycle accident.

She was born December 24, 1953, in Charlotte, NC, to the late Clifton Spencer Turner and Carolyn Cly Reid, the eldest of three siblings. She graduated from Myers Park High School in 1972, and Salem College in 1976, majoring in English. Marilyn and her husband Hedge met as sophomores in college in 1973 and were married at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte in 1978.

Marilyn worked two years for J.A. Jones as a copywriter in the graphics department, and four years as a public relations specialist for Carolinas Medical Center. Following the birth of their first child in 1983, she worked as a part-time receptionist for pediatrician and family friend Dr. Thomas E. Walker. Marilyn also taught aerobics, choreographing music for 17 years.

In 1985, the family moved to Raleigh joining White Memorial Presbyterian Church, where Marilyn taught and coordinated Sunday School. She introduced liturgical dance, coaxing her friends to follow her lead. Marilyn enrolled in countless biblical interpretation courses taught by Duke Divinity Professor James "Mickey" Efird. Her time at White Memorial and the relationships she nurtured among staff and friends became the genesis and incubator of Marilyn's sense of call to ordained ministry.

In 1992, Marilyn and family moved to Decatur, GA, to attend Columbia Theological Seminary where she and Hedge earned Master of Divinity degrees in 1995. She served six years at First Presbyterian Church, South Charleston, WV. In 2002, the family returned home to North Carolina. Marilyn spent the next 17 years at First Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC, serving primarily as Associate Pastor, but also Interim Pastor and Senior Pastor. Marilyn often shared that her years in ministry in Durham were some of her happiest, learning so much about loving immediate neighbors, serving the poor, and being responsive to the needs around us.

Retiring in 2020 and drawn by Marilyn's Moravian heritage and their time together in college, Marilyn and Hedge relocated to Winston-Salem. They found a new home and spiritual family in Trinity Presbyterian Church. Marilyn served as a pastoral care minister at Clemmons Presbyterian Church and Interim Pastor at St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC. Marilyn helped initiate the spiritual care volunteer program at the SECU Family House. Each week she provided pastoral care while regularly furnishing meals and serving as a dinner host. She tutored students in math at Bolton Elementary School, helped lead two book clubs, and played in three handbell ensembles.

Marilyn was a lifelong advocate for justice and equality. One thread coursing through Marilyn's ministry into retirement was her deep and abiding concern and care for those whom Christ called, "the least of these." She believed that acts of love and service towards those in need, especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized, are acts of love and service towards Christ himself.

Her creative spirit, compassion, and purpose shone brightly in everything that she did. During Marilyn's life, she was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother "Mari", eloquent and imaginative preacher, spiritual care coordinator, published poet, accomplished writer, handbell aficionado, culinary artist, amateur meteorologist, voracious reader, Scrabble wizard, and a fitness enthusiast. Marilyn's passion for writing was prevalent in her prolific poetry, authoring books, sermons, prayers, and prose.

Marilyn is survived by her husband Ingram "Hedge" Hedgpeth, daughter Emily Schauer, son-in- law Adam Schauer, grandsons Spencer and Parker Schauer, son Andrew Hedgpeth, son Stuart Hedgpeth, daughter-in-law Senmiao Zhan, brother Stephen Turner, brother David Turner, and stepmother Miriam Turner.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC, on Saturday, August 23, at 11:00 a.m. Please join us at 10:30 in the sanctuary for a time of music and reflection, prior to the service. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

Memorial gifts may be made to Salem College for the Marilyn Turner Hedgpeth C'76 Scholarship Fund (Office of Institutional Advancement, 601 S. Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101). Gifts may also be made online at salem.edu/give/#form. In the "notes about my gift" box, please type Marilyn Turner Hedgpeth Scholarship. Condolences may be shared at www.salemfh.com.