Marlene Winters

MARION, VIRGINIA: MARLENE SADLER WINTERS, passed away, Wednesday, May 17, 2006, at her home in Marion, VA, following a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. Mrs. Winters was born April 25, 1941, in Wytheville, VA. She was the beloved daughter of the late Earl W. and Mabel Blessing Sadler and the daughter-in-law of the late Ted M. and Gladys Kegley Winters. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, teacher, and school counselor who touched the lives of all who knew her with love and kindness. She graduated from George Wythe High School, Radford College, and was awarded her Master of Science Degree in Counseling from the University of Virginia. Marlene had a special love of nature and saw beauty and mystery in all living things, making her an exceptional biology teacher. She had a genuine love and concern for young people which made her a gifted guidance counselor. Her entire professional career was as a teacher, counselor, and Student Cooperative Association advisor at Marion Senior High School from which she retired in 1992. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Marion. She is survived by her husband of forty-one years, Marvin E. Winters, Marion, VA, and her sons and their wives, Brigen L. and Jennifer Winters, Arlington, VA, and Martin S. and Caroline Winters, Charlottesville, VA. She is also survived by her dear grandsons, Jake, Drew, and Nick Winters, Arlington, VA. Her aunt and uncle, Juanita and Charles Jackson; her sister-in-law, Carol Enoch; nieces-Leigh Davis, Sarah Hill, and Haley DeJarnette; and several very special first cousins also survive. The family expresses sincere gratitude to the devoted caregivers who served Mrs. Winters so faithfully over the years: Kelly Evans, Kelly Street, Joyce Taylor, the late Barbara "Boots" Sayers, Beverly Evans, and Ashley Surber. The family also deeply appreciates the dedicated nurses of Smyth County Community Hospital Home Health Services, Dr. James McDowell and his staff, the doctors and nurses at Smyth County Community Hospital, Dr. Dean Wilson and his staff, and Ellis H.O.M.E., who also cared for Marlene. A service celebrating Marlene's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at First United Methodist Church, 115 South Church Street, Marion, VA, with Rev. Jeff Lambert officiating. Entombment will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, VA. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 19, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Seaver-Brown Chapel, 237 East Main Street, Marion, VA. Flowers will be appreciated or donations may be made to the Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1 Morton Drive, Suite 106, Charlottesville, VA 22903, or to First United Methodist Church, 115 South Church Street, Marion, VA 24354.