After a long life of service to God, family, Country and Community, Mr. Marion Buren Cagle returned to his Creator from the Coen Green House on Saturday night, January 7, 2023 after a period of declining health. He was 94. Mr. Marion was born in Centerville, Alabama on Sept. 21, 1928 to the late Van and Mary Vassar Cagle. He graduated from Bibb Co. High School in May, 1946 and immediately joined the U. S. Army serving in the Occupational Troops after WW II, stationed in Korea for 2 years. He returned to enter Miss. A and M, now Miss. State, graduating in 1951 with a BS in Dairy Science. He met a Jackson girl, Betty Montgomery, a MSCW student, on a blind date on Friday, the 13th of October, 1951. They married on June 22, 1952 and celebrated 70 years of a beautiful partnership last year. His first job was with Perry Creamery in Tuscaloosa where he was ice cream manager. In 1959, the family including son, Van and daughter, Libby, moved to Tupelo to work at Barber’s Milk Company. He retired as manager after over 30 years service. He then assumed a similar position with Avent Dairies in Oxford for 10 years. The Cagle’s were active, engaged members of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo where he served as Sunday School Teacher 25 years and served in various other capacities. A born leader with vision and purpose, Marion was involved for over 50 years with Red Cross, Boy Scouts, United Way, Tupelo Clean and Beautiful and CDF. He was recipient of Julius C Berry Volunteer Award, on the Board of United Way many years and recipient of the Silver Beaver and the Fawn and Antelope Award from Yocona Council of Boy Scouts of America and taught Dale Carnegie Courses for many years.. He served many years on the Board of Mississippi Dairy Products Association including two tenures as President. Mr. Cagle was a leader in the RCDC movement where he endeared himself to many citizens in the rural area of Lee County and surroundings. Mr. Marion cut a wide path and and his legacy will be that of a kind soul who mastered his role and responsibility in his long lifetime.
A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 from the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church-Tupelo with Revs. Rusty and Fawn Keen officiating. Steve Holland will deliver the eulogy. The family will receive friends in the Gathering Room one hour prior to the service. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Cagle of Tupelo; a daughter, Elizabeth “Libby” Cagle of Starkville; two grandchildren, Kyle Pollard of Starkville and Lindsay Pollard Ball (Tyler) of Madison; two great grandson’s , Carter and Collin. A host of friends.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Coen Greenhouse and Enhabit Hospice for their loving care in his last year.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 432, Tupelo, MS. 38802 or to Tupelo Chapter of American Red Cross, 4127 Westside Drive, Tupelo, MS. 38801. Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
