Mrs. Laura Marley

September 7, 1933 - March 15, 2022

The passing of Mrs. Laura Marley, age 88, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Duke Regional Hospital, is being announced by her family. Laura Lee Marley was born, September 7, 1933, in Durham, North Carolina to the late Maybel Smith and Spencer Crawford. Laura Lee (as she was called) received her education from Lyon Park, Whitted, and JM Caviness school. She always would love to sing the Lyon Park School song. Laura Lee married John W. Marley, a soldier and moved to Ramseur, North Carolina. Later years when her cousin Milly Crawford got sick, she returned to Durham to help take care of her. Laura worked at Burlington Industrial (as a spooler) until they closed. She had not reached the mature age to retire but as she got relaxed and started to enjoy being laid off, she said no one better not call her back to go to a job. She loved to fish, playing cards and spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, other family members and friends. Even though she had seven children, Mama (as we called her) loved all of them and made no difference in not one of them. She loved attending Blues concerts. I was able to obtain backstage passes to see one of her favorite blues singer BB King and ever since she met him, she received backstage to all concerts in North Carolina, compliments of Mr. King. Tickets would be left in the Will-call window. He would always call and inform us when he was coming, and we would have front row tickets to the concerts. She would also call Foxy 107 radio station to request a blues song on Saturday and the DJ would play her song within 5-10 minutes. She met the DJ, and the DJ was DJ Heavy, and he became her favorite DJ. Laura Lee leaves to cherish her beautiful memories to her seven children: David (Wendy) of Durham, North Carolina, Gloria of Durham, North Carolina, Marcia of Durham, North Carolina, Shelbia (Barry) of Durham, North Carolina, John (Judy) of Ramseur, North Carolina, Dwight (Shevone) of Durham, North Carolina, Darryle (Trudy) of Asheboro, North Carolina, grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She had a special cousin Clara Adam of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and a very special friend from grade school through adulthood, Mrs. Patty Gales, of Ramseur, North Carolina. A Service of Celebration has been scheduled for Thursday, March 24, 2022, at First Calvary Baptist Church, 1311 Morehead Ave., Durham, North Carolina 27707. The family will assemble for a visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 11:55 a.m., followed by the celebration service, at 12:00 respectively, with Pastor Fredrick A. Davis delivering the eulogy. Mrs. Laura Marley will be laid to rest in Beechwood Cemetery. To view the Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Laura Marley through Zoom Live Stream: Please click the link below to join the webinar, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86452729612? Webinar ID: 864 5272 9612 Passcode: 975970