Marion Virginia Ragland-Irby

Marion Virginia Ragland-Irby was born to Marion Elliott Ragland and Cardell James Irby on September 21, 1943, in Jacksonville, AL. Marion was the eldest of six children. At an early age she moved to Youngstown, Ohio and eventually moved to Los Angeles, CA where she attended Fremont High School. After high school she married Edward Lee Haywood Sr. and their union, five  children were born. 

In 1976 Marion moved to Joliet, IL where she met Elder Samuel Lee Brown. They married in 1978, and remained married for 28 years. The two maintained a wonderful friendship until the time of her departure. 

Marion accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 19, and never turned her back on her beliefs or love for God. She attended Ephesians COGIC in Los Angeles, where she became the goddaughter of the late Bishop E.E. "Dad" Cleveland. In Joliet, over the course of 59 years, and several moves she attended Monument of Faith Church, Holy Ghost Deliverance Center COGIC and All Nations COGIC. Marion moved to Norcross, Georgia in 2016 where she was a member of The Dream Center Church of Atlanta during the day, and Breathe ATL in the evening. Marion remained in Norcross until she changed her address to her Heavenly Home on May 30,2022 at 4:55 A.M.

Marion is preceded in death by her mother, Marion Ragland-Ross, father Cardell Irby Sr.; step mother, Dorthy Irby; brother, Harry Irby; sister-in-love, Terry Irby and her sweet grandson Elijah DeWayne Haywood.

She leaves to cherish her memory her brothers, Raleigh and Cardell Irby; sisters Veta and Vylda Irby; children, Beverly (Owen) Flemming, Charmaine Madukolum, Edward (Carolyn) Haywood, Antwyne (Lewshawnda) Haywood and Shannon Haywood. God also bestowed upon her 13 grandchildren, four of whom she adopted, Shane, Stazia, Marion and Allyssa Haywood; eight great- grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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