Etta Lee Gore Marlin, 103, passed away on August 26, 2016, at Alive Hospice, Nashville, TN, after a brief illness. Etta Lee was born September 27, 1912, in Tampa, Florida, to the late Samuel (Sam) Tinsley Gore and Rose May Gorff Gore. She was a very loving, caring, and generous daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (affectionately called Granny). Etta Lee was a graduate of Florida State University, formerly known as Florida State University for Women, and received her master’s degree from Vanderbilt University, formerly known as George Peabody College. Etta Lee was a lifelong educator and learner, having taught school in the state of Florida for 25 years and in the state of Mississippi for 15 years. Her learning continued after retirement through her love of reading, working crossword puzzles, and playing all kinds of games, especially BINGO! In her spare time, she enjoyed working in the yard and cooking for her children and grandchildren. She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Tupelo. In her later years, she attended Shiloh Methodist Church, Mantachie First Baptist Church, and Brentwood (Tennessee) United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her two daughters, Linda McDavitt (Richard) of Brentwood, TN, and Janice Yielding (Freddy) of Mantachie; grandchildren, Susan Elizabeth McDavitt, Sarah McDavitt Rowlett (Paul), Meghan Yielding Cates (Alan), Ashley Yielding Dees (Josh), and Erin Yielding Carter (Jason); great-grandchildren, Mary Lauren Green, James Douglas Green III, Lauren Elizabeth Cates, Ethan Lee Cates, John Tyler Dees, Evan Laurel Dees, and Sloan Lesley Carter; step-great grandchildren, Rachel Rowlett and Jack Rowlett; a special niece, Donna Rose Dowless; and many other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Wendell Holmes Marlin; sister, Hortense Frances Gore Dowless; grandson, Richard Charles McDavitt, Jr.; and granddaughter, Mary Allison Yielding.
A memorial service honoring Etta Lee Marlin’s life will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, at the First Baptist Church in Mantachie with Dr. John Adams officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, August 29, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday all at First Baptist Church, Mantachie. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Mantachie is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wendell and Etta Lee Marlin Mantachie High School Scholarship Fund at BancorpSouth, 3230 Hwy. 371, Mantachie, MS 38855.
