Former Pender County resident, Katie Marie Harrell Gafford, passed away December 15, 2019, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, at the age of 88.  Katie was born to Alton Cephus Harrell and Katie Inez Barnhill Harrell on July 15, 1931 in Caswell Township, Pender County, North Carolina.  She was the granddaughter of John Edward Harrell and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Brock Raynor Harrell; and Robert Bizzell Barnhill and Katherine "Katie" Sherman Barnhill and sister of Marion Harrell and Edith Woodcock.

Marie grew up in Atkinson, North Carolina, and graduated with honors from Atkinson High School.  She recently remembered fondly her time playing guard on the girl's varsity basketball team. At the age of 18, she married the love of her life, 21 year-old George Washington Gafford, Jr., on January 21, 1950.  He was stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico at the time.  George returned to Atkinson on the weekends while Marie finished her senior year of high school.  Marie was a faithful Marine Corps wife, supporting George during his multiple overseas deployments throughout his 25 years of service as a United States Marine, with several of George's deployments in active war zones.

George and Marie had three children: Donna Kaye Gafford, George Michael "Mike" Gafford, and Linda Jo Gafford Bradshaw.  After celebrating 41 years of marriage, George passed away in 1991. Marie and George had four grandchildren: Allison Gafford, Stephanie Gafford, Eric Bradshaw, and Katie Bradshaw and five great grandchildren: Lillian, Karson, Nataleigh, Greyson, and Connor.

Graveside service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Woodcock Cemetery, Beatty's Bridge Road, Atkinson, N.C. with The Rev. Ken Smith conducting the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SECU Hospice House, JHF – Hospice Fund, P.O. Box 1376, Smithfield, NC, 27577.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall.

A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.