Marzella (Long) Murchison

Saturday afternoon, October 23, 2021, 3:09 p.m., the Lord decided that it was time to take an angel, and decided to take our beloved mother, Ms. Marzella Long Murchison.  She was born on March 29, 1929, to the late William and Lelar Long.  Marzella was married to the late Donnell Murchison in December 1947.  They were blessed with a son, the late Ronnie Murchison, and five daughters, Dottie, Deborah, Vernell, Sherlene, and Linda.

She was educated in the Lee County School System.  Her years of employment included, but not limited to working as a caretaker, a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Sanford Furniture Factory, and a personal Certified Nursing Assistant in her home.  She loved family and would play with her grandchildren as if she was their age, even after she had passed the age of 50.  Her grandsons fondly called her “Stick” and her son-in-law loving referred to her as “Slim.”  She was fun to be around and was always positive.  She would take children that people threw away and rear them as her own.  People loved her and she loved people.  She was a beautiful, elegant, classy woman with a smile that only came from heaven.  She loved to dress.

Marzella was a Saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, faithful servant of the Most High God.  Holiness was her way of life.  She was faithful to her church, loving God with all her heart.  In her early years, she and her husband, Donnell, joined Mount Sinai Holiness Church, Bishop J. G. Lowdermilk, Pastor where she was saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost.  She became a member of the House of Prayer Holiness Church, Olivia, NC and later moved to Saint Peters Holiness Church, Lemon Springs, NC, under the leadership of Bishop William Berryman.  As a member of Saint Peters, she became the Choir Director, President of the Golden Bells Singers, member of the Usher Board, and a church mother.  In 2009, her daughter, Sherlene Ethridge was called to pastor New Beginning Ministry of Worship, Fayetteville, NC.  By the leading of the Spirit, she moved her membership to New Beginning and became the Senior Church Mother and a member of the Trustee Board.  Whatever her hands found to do, she would do it, and do it with excellence.  Her legacy of being a servant continued until her health failed.  She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother.

Preceding her death is her parents, William and Lelar Long; her husband, Donnell Murchison; one son, Ronnie Murchison; one Sister Anna Bell Long; two brothers, William Long, Jr. and Willie Jackson, and one grandson, Paul Murchison.

Cherishing her life and legacy are:  her daughters, Dottie White (Malcolm) of Spring Lake, NC; Deborah Lee (Marvin) of Cameron, NC; Vernell Groce (Ellsworth) of Beulaville, NC; Sherlene Ethridge (William) of Fayetteville, NC; Linda Butler (Edward) of Fayetteville, NC; two sisters, Rachel Sellars and Doris Sellars of Olivia, NC, a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.

You are safe now in Jesus’ arms.  We will meet again in the sweet bye and bye.  

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home-Sanford