Marion Spanks

Mr. Marion Spanks, returned to the open arms of his creator on Friday, September 18, 2020 at Serenity Hospice Care, Dublin, GA.

Graveside services were held on Saturday,September 26,  2020 at Middle Hill Baptist Church, Warthen, GA @ 11 a.m. with Rev. Tracy Wheeler Sr. officiating.

Marion Spanks was born on Tuesday, April 18, 1939, in Tennille, Georgia to the parentage of the late Willie Lee Spanks, Sr. and the late Mary Julia Hill Spanks. He was the third of their six children. 

At an early age, Marion joined Oak Grove Baptist Church in Sandersville in which he sang in the choir. Young Marion was educated at Royal School for Young Negro Children until the school’s closure.  While at Royal, Marion played basketball and ran track.  Later, he attended T.J. Elder High School where he continued to play basketball and run track; he graduated in 1962.  After graduation Marion worked at Holmes Cannery in Washington County.

Like most young adults, Marion longed for a change from the country life of Washington County and migrated to the big city of Atlanta in 1963. Marion was a hard worker and energetic; he gained employment quickly working multiple jobs including at C & S Bank.  He attended Iconius Baptist Church and sang in the choir where he met the young Mabel Smith. They fell in love and married in 1966. From their union they had one daughter, Tonya L. Spanks, who sadly preceded him in death; August 2012.

Marion’s hobbies included gardening, sewing, and driving nice cars.  His talent for alteration and sewing so caught the attention of others in the metro Atlanta area that it became his second job. He was known affectionately by others as LaVay Spanks when it came to fashion. Marion also continued to attend church and sang in the choir at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. For over 30 years, Marion worked for Ford Motor Company which afforded him the ability to drive the latest and greatest sedans.  Each time Marion came back home to Washington County he was driving a nice car and always bragging about how quickly he was able to zoom from one location to another.

Marion worked for Ford until his health slowly started to fail him. He returned home to Washington County in 2009, and in 2014 he moved to Green Acres in Baldwin County. After battling several health aliments Marion succumbed to complications of his illnesses and entered into eternal rest on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Serenity Hospice in Dublin, GA.

Marion is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Willie Lee Spanks, Sr. and Mrs. Mary Julia Hill Spanks; siblings, Mrs. Betty Lou Spanks Bryant and Mr. Willie Lee Spanks, Jr.; Nephew, Mr. Jeffery Bryant,  daughter, Ms. Tonya L. Spanks and sister-in-law Lillian B. Spanks.

Marion leaves behind to cherish his memories three devoted sisters: Mrs. Annie Mae Brown of Atlanta, Mrs. Doris Mae Morris of Warthen, GA, and Mrs. Mary Wells of Milledgeville, GA; devoted brother in-law, Mr. Willie C. Wells of Milledgeville, GA.  Several nieces: Mrs. Geraldine (William, Sr.)White, Mrs. Pearlie Brinkley of Warthen, GA, Ms. Keema Brown of Atlanta, GA; Ms. Erica Wells, Ms. Chandra Wells of Milledgeville, GA. Nephew: Mr. Jammie E. Morris of Warthen, GA. Nephews and nieces including Mr. Destonius Howell of Atlanta, GA; Ms. Jammea Morris of Warthen, GA; Mr. Pierce Brinkley, Jr. of Evie, PA; Mrs. LaShawn B. (Nathaniel) Moore of Milledgeville, GA; Mr. William (Larissa) White, Jr.; Mrs. Carla White Cooper of Warthen, GA; Ms. Zabia Brown of Atlanta, GA.  Several great-nieces and nephews: Ms. Kiera Johnson, Ms. NaJada Moore of Milledgeville, GA; Ms. Caila Johnson and Mr. Carston Brown of Warthen, GA; and Ms. Trinity Watts of Tacoma, WA and a host of other relatives and friends.

Wheeler’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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