Marion Parker Marbray was born in Washington, D.C. to her late parents Louis and Sarah Parker. She attended school in Washington, D.C. and worshipped at Mount Moriah Baptist Church. When her mother Sarah died, Louis mourned her passing for many years. Mr. Parker remarried and moved his new wife, Jeanette and daughter Marion to Accokeek, Maryland. Marion attended Pomonkey High School to continue her education. Feeling a need for divine guidance, Marion accepted Christ and joined Metropolitan United Methodist Church where she met the love of her life, Richard J. Marbray. The two of them married and from this union, they had three lovely daughters, Laverne, Phyllis, and Yvonne. This June would have been their 73rd wedding anniversary.

Marion enjoyed playing the piano for Sunday School with encouragement from her parents, the late Mr. Wesley Key, and the late Mrs. Lucille Marshall. She also played for the Senior Choir whenever she was needed. Later, she became a member of the United Methodist Women where she served in many different capacities. When living in Washington, D.C., Marion became a Juvenile Elk and a member of the Tenths Lodge. While living in Maryland, she became a member of Order of Eastern Star Truth Chapter #19 in 1947. She was elected Worthy Matron from 1963 to 1965, then re-elected 1973 to 1975. She also served as District Deputy Grand Matron from 1975 to 1976, and also was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Randolph Furey Post 170. Marion worked in the Federal Government for a short time, however she had to leave work to care for her ailing parents.

Marion was known for being one of the "best bakers" in Accokeek. When preparing her baked goods for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, Marion baked those fantastic and delicious fruit cakes, sweet potato and pumpkin pies. She would always start baking early in the morning and would not finish until late in the evening. Whenever dinner was served after a church service, most people would ask Marion "Which cake did you bake?", or "Is that your coconut cake that I've been waiting to taste?" Marion was the best, and oh, how she enjoyed the compliments.

Marion leaves to mourn her passing, her devoted husband Richard J. Marbray, three daughters, Laverne Foster (Charles), Phyllis Knight (Clarence), and Yvonne; granddaughter, Dana Foster; grandson, Brian Foster; two adopted sons, Samuel Taylor and Greg Cummings; devoted cousins, Preston Lomas, Eula Lomas, and Ethel Lee Tidwell; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Her viewing will be held from 9am until time of service 11am on Friday, February 20, 2015 at Metropolitan United Methodist Church, 3385 Metropolitan Church Road, Indian Head, MD 20640.

The interment will take place on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 1:45 pm at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD.

Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., Indian Head, MD