Marlene F. Wilson

Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Marlene was proceeded in death by her mother – Myrtle Posten-Sayre, her father – Ronald Harry Sayre, and her sister – Wayona Hall. Marlena, her only child, has since passed away 14 months and 6 days after in December 2022. 

Marlene grew up in Parkersburg where she was a member of the Brownies and spent many years performing in choirs. That is how she met her husband, Doug. In fact, it was often joked in high school that if you needed to find one, just look for the other.
After she was married, Marlene moved to Clarksburg, West Virginia with her husband. That is where she became a mother with the birth of their daughter, who was a month late – a fact she loved to playfully remind Marlena of any time the opportunity presented itself.

Marlene was a member of Duff Street United Methodist Church. There she sang soprano in the choir and was a member of the Circle of Friends ladies circle. She was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 573 Ladies Auxilary and served as president for two terms.

Through the years Marlene worked various jobs – from a bookkeeper at Jerry's Auto Supply to a sales associate at Elder-Beerman and Reeds Jewelers, and later the assistant manager at Floral Hills. Her main devotion, though, was that of a wife and a mother.

Marlene took an active role in Marlena's life. She worked with the preschool Marlena attended and in later years volunteered in the offices at Washington Irving High School and Robert C. Byrd High School. An active backstage mother during dance recitals with the Mitzi Layne Dance Academy, that transferred over to volunteering her time with the RCB theatre productions and Act 2 Theatre. And, while some kids may not want their parents around so much, Marlene's presence was never overbearing. In fact, she was “mom" to everyone, someone that Marlena, and all of her friends, could turn to – no matter what.
Anyone that knew Marlene often recounts her smile and infectious laugh. She loved to joke and make people feel good. That ranked right up there with her love of singing, a passion that had her traveling and performing for several years with her husband and their best friends in a gospel group called Weave.

Marlene spent the last years of her life in Augusta, Georgia, continuing to share her smile, laughter, and heart with anyone she met. Her passing will leave a void in the many lives she touched.