Lula Marie Marley
March 9, 1939 ~ March 14, 2025
Lula Ritter Marley, age 86, passed away peacefully on Friday March 14, 2025, at Moore Regional Hospital.
Lula was born in Moore Co., NC, to Wiley Fletcher Ritter, Sr. and Viola Hussey Ritter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Marley, her sisters Faye Callicutt and Carole Lambert; her brother, Walter Ritter; her daughter-in-law, Chrissie Marley; sister-in-law, Oleen Ritter; and brothers-in-law, James Callicutt, Marvin Lambert, and Ron Yates.
Lula is survived by her children Stanley Marley, Daniel Marley (Leanna), Christina Deane (Scott), and Kerry Marley; her sister Dorothy Yates; her brothers, Wiley Fletcher Ritter, Jr. and Marshall Ritter (LaVonne); her sister-in-law, Helma Ritter; grandchildren Jamie Garner (Gary), Nathaniel Marley (Ashley), Kelli LeGrand (Brandon), Katelyn Marley, Kurt Marley (Rachel), John Deane, James Deane, Brynn Marley, Emma Marley, and Dakota Marley; and 4 great-grandchildren, Kevin Garner (Kaitlin), Brantson, Adalyn, and Karli; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Lula was a graduate of Elise High School in Robbins, NC. She got her education degree at Methodist College, in the first graduating class. Lula taught for over 34 years, most of them at Westmoore Elementary school in Seagrove, NC. She taught fifth grade for many years, and she taught science. She loved to teach math and after her retirement, she continued to work there part-time for several more years, especially helping students with math skills. She loved to garden, to watch things grow, and to spend time in nature. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends over food and games, and she took every opportunity to have fun with her family. Lula was always one of the last ones to leave the party.
She was “Mrs. Marley” to some, “Miss Lula” to others, and to her family she was “Mama” and “Meemaw”. Her family and friends will miss her wonderful sense of humor, her beautiful smile, her endless kindness and love, and her never-ending desire to educate all around her. “I read somewhere…” was a favorite conversation starter for Lula. She successfully completed hundreds (possibly thousands) of Sudoku puzzles to keep her mind sharp and her math skills keen.
Lula was the rock of her family, and she passed on a little of that toughness to all her children who will need this now to carry on without her. She put her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and always had a desire for her family and friends to do so as well. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now with the Lord.
The family will receive friends on Monday, March 17, 2025, from 6pm to 8pm at Kennedy Funeral Home in Robbins, NC. The funeral service will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Needham’s Grove Baptist Church, in Seagrove, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Westmoore Scholarship Fund. Please send donations to the attention of Amanda Blake, Westmoore Elementary School, 2195 NC Hwy 705, Seagrove, NC, 27341.
Condolences on line at pinesfunerals.com
Services
Visitation: March 17, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Kennedy Funeral Home
241 N Middleton Street
Robbins, NC 27325
910-948-2221
Funeral Service: March 18, 2025 2:00 pm
Needham’s Grove Baptist Church
359 Needham’s Grove Road
Seagrove, NC 27341
464-2121
Sorry to hear this. She was a sweet lady. My prayers for you Katelyn, Kurt, Kelli, Danny, and Leann. Love you all! ❤️
Danny
So sorry about the passing of your precious momma. Praying for you and all your family during this difficult time.
With my deepest sympathy .
I remember so many things about her. I remember being upset about bringing snacks on the wrong day for girl scouts and she calmed me down and made me to see that it was ok. I could save them for the next week because they were things weren’t perishable. As a child you can’t always put things into perspective. She showed me how to calm myself and to think about the situation. As an adult I often think about that and how its not the end of the world if something doesn’t go the way you planned it. Think about it and come up with a plan. She was an awesome teacher.
Prayers for all the family. I know you will miss her so much. 🙏🙏❤️ Donna
Danny & family,
So sorry to learn of your mom’s passing. Love & prayers for you all during this difficult time❤️
Sorry for your loss!
David and Teresa Phillips
Sorry for your family’s loss. God Bless and keep you all close
Prayers and love for the family. May the Lord give them strength and peace. God bless.
Stanley, Danny, Christina, Kerry and family,
Kim and I are grieved for you all in your loss of my friend, mentor and confidant. She and I were committed together in our work and love for our kids. I am blessed and better for knowing Lula. She was a positive force in the lives of her family, students and me. I will miss her and look forward to seeing her again. May God cradle you all in His loving arms in your grief and in the days to come. We love you. Kim and Bruce Williams
I had the privilege of having Mrs. Marley as my 5th grade teacher, and she truly was a remarkable and gentle soul. My heart goes out to her family during this difficult time. Danny, I’m holding you close in my thoughts and prayers, especially as we remember the many years we shared together in school. Please know that you are not alone; you are in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate the days ahead.
I had the pleasure of having Mrs. Marley as my fifth and sixth grade teacher then also had her for science in seventh grade. She was a very special person and I am so grateful to have been her student. Prayers for the family during this difficult time.
I am so sorry for the loss of Mrs. Marley. Your family will be in our prayers. May you find peace and comfort in the memories you shared.
Love, Jerry and Ann Haywood and Martha Haywood Harker
Love,
Harold, Pat, and Misty Clark
Psalms 116:15
Both my children had the privilege of having Mrs. Marley in 5th grade. She was kind and loving, but strict. My thoughts and prayers are
with you at this difficult time. Love you.