Sue Karen Blackburn Marshburn, 84, of Wallace, North Carolina, left this earth for her heavenly home on July 6, 2024. Born on August 25, 1939, in Sampson County, she was the daughter of the late Clarence I. Blackburn and Eloise Carter Blackburn of Ingold. She was also predeceased by her husband of 55 years, James Monroe Marshburn; sister, Willa Dean Hansford and brothers Gene M. Blackburn and Ronald T. Blackburn.

Until Mrs. Marshburn's health began to decline, she was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Wallace where she served as a deaconess, a member of the WMU, Keen Agers and the Sonshine choir. With a servant's heart, she took care of many babies and toddlers in the nursery over the years. As a seamstress, Mrs. Marshburn used her God-given talents to make hundreds of stockings for the Christmas ministries and to make dresses to send to foreign countries. Mrs. Marshburn was also an auxiliary member of the Duplin Camp of Gideons International. She was the owner of Montgomery Ward in Wallace, NC for 17 years and JC Penney catalog store for 7 years. She loved spending time with her family and friends but especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She also enjoyed making Hershey Bar cakes to share with others, coloring and watching Hallmark. Known lovingly as "Mema", Mrs. Marshburn was a loving and caring wife, mother, Mema, aunt and friend. She was loved and well respected by many and will be missed by all who knew her.

Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters, Karen M. Knowles and husband Jimmy of Teachey, NC; Alesia Faye M. Gurganus and husband Cecil of Norwood, NC; Lori M. Bryant and husband Darrell of Southport, NC; six grandchildren, Graham Knowles (Melissa), Rena K. Baker (Adam), Kayla B. Sears (Josh), Dustin Gurganus (Dallace), Carly Bryant and Donovan Gurganus (Shelby); twelve great grandchildren, Skyler Parker, Talyn Parker, Isabella Parker, Madelynn Knowles, Ellis Baker, Easton Sears, Reed Baker, Griffin Knowles, Lana Baker, Jensen Sears, Janie Mae Knowles, and Shepard Gurganus; one sister, Louise Oakes of Raleigh, NC; two brothers, Charles Blackburn (Barbara) of Southport, NC and Larry Blackburn (Susie) of Greensboro, NC; sister-in-law Imogene King; brother-in-law Robert Hansford; sister-in-law Betsy Carter (Norwood); special aunt, Roslyn Keith and numerous nieces, nephews, extened family and friends that lover her dearly.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Wallace.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday,July 10, 2024 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Wallace Chapel with the Reverend Jacob Capps officiating.

Burial will follow thr service in Rockfish Memorial Park, Wallace.

Casketbearers will be Graham Knowles, Dustin Gurganus, Donovan Gurganus, Adam Baker, Josh Sears, Lex Marshburn and Carries Marshburn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 408 W. Main Street, Wallace, NC 28466; Gideons International Duplin Camp, PO Box 572, Wallace, NC 28466; or ECU Home Health and Hospice – Kenansville, 401 N. Main Street, Kenansville, NC 28349.

The family would like to give a special thanks to ECU Home Health and Hospice and Wallace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for the wonderful care they gave to Mrs. Marshburn.

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Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Wallace.