Mary Elizabeth Parker Varella

Mary Elizabeth Parker Varella—proud Charlestonian, beloved wife of George Varella, and loving mother of three daughters, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren—went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, January 15th. Though she was most recently a resident of Brevard, North Carolina, she spent the previous 54 years in Marietta, enjoying the fellowship of friends and church family.

Born on November 24, 1928, Mary was a child of the Great Depression and World War II. Upon her father’s death when she was three, she was thereafter raised by her widowed mother and spoke lovingly of the sacrifices and hard work her mother endured to care for her and her older brother. She often reminisced about her childhood with extended family and close friends and even in her later years would share stories of her life as an elementary school student and fun summers spent with her favorite cousin in the South Carolina low country.

After meeting on a blind date and enjoying a short courtship, George and Mary married on October 15, 1955. They enjoyed a happy life together, raising their three daughters, and traveling internationally after George’s retirement. George died the day after their 50 th wedding anniversary, leaving Mary with many special memories of their life together.

Mary was a doting grandmother, blessing her grandchildren with countless fond memories of their childhood and teaching them much about the importance of faith and family. She loved them fiercely and unceasingly, never once forgetting a birthday or anniversary.

Raised with close ties to her Scottish immigrant family in Charleston, South Carolina, Mary was discipled in the Scottish Presbyterian tradition from birth. When she and George married, she made a happy Presbyterian out of him – a lifelong Methodist! A member of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta since 1974, she loved that church and the many endearing life-long friendships established there. A strong advocate of sharing the gospel, she demonstrated her faith daily by serving others as a Sunday School teacher, Elder, officer of the Women of the Church, and volunteer in many church activities.

She will be missed and lovingly remembered by her survivors, daughter Nancy Parker Varella of Marietta; daughter Martha Carlton (Greg) of Brevard, North Carolina, and their children Taylor Carlton (Kelsey); Emrie Elizabeth Jackson (Russ); Mary Caroline Owings (Stephen), and their children Ezra and Abel daughter Bonnie Carlton (Jay) of Richmond, Virginia, and their children Ally Carlton, Claire Carlton, Annie Rae Stanfield (Andrew), and George Carlton; and her sole surviving nephew, Kent Parker (Tania) of Charleston, South Carolina. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Trust Center in Downtown Brevard, 67 West Main Street.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mooreblanchard.com./obituaries. Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is honored to serve the family.