Wanda (Harvell) Marks

     Wanda Harvell Marks, a lifetime resident of Penderlea, passed away on January 5, 2026. Wanda was predeceased by her parents, Ransom Carr Harvell and Sarah Griffin Harvell, and brother Robert Alfred Harvell.  She leaves behind to cherish her memory her beloved and devoted husband of 56 years, Christopher McDonald Marks, sister Patricia Harvell Boykin, niece Lea Ann Boykin Cook (Larry), great niece Sarah Carr Henley Cook, nephew Daniel Carr Boykin (Susan), great niece Savannah Caroline Boykin and great nephew Skyler Douglas Boykin, step-niece Cameron Simpson Bullard and husband (Thomas), step-nephew Jackson Robert Simpson as well as all of the wonderful family on her husband’s side. 

     Wanda was a life-long member of Potts Memorial Presbyterian Church in Penderlea and served as Treasurer for over 40 years. She lovingly devoted a lot of time to the church, where her great grandparents were charter members.  She made gorgeous floral arrangements from her garden for the church every Sunday, one of her favorite activities. 

     After graduating from Penderlea High School in 1970 she married her highschool sweetheart July 3, 1970, starting her first banking job in Raleigh at BB&T while he was serving in the Army. They lived in Texas, Langley, VA and Louisiana where she continued her banking career while Chris continued to serve in the Army. They eventually moved back to Penderlea to be near family where she worked at Cooperative Bank in Wallace for many years where she served as Vice President, then finishing her banking career working at First Bank in Wallace as branch manager. She also volunteered for several years delivering meals for Meals on Wheels.

     Wanda was a serious bridge player, who was a member of several groups with her friends. She loved working in her garden, where she taught her nieces and nephew how to plant and grow flowers and vegetables from seed, and loved driving them around their farm on the golf cart. She shared her love of gardening with her husband and they enjoyed giving away blueberries, vegetables and flowers to family and friends. So many celebrations and holiday meals were hosted at their ‘Barn’ which was a favorite gathering space. She always had beautiful flower arrangements in her home. She loved taking trips with a small group of her friends, and she and her husband especially loved trips to Charleston, SC where she often went on garden tours. She cherished her friendships and took frequent trips to Wilmington with her sister for lunch and nail appointments. She was always the most graceful and stylish person in the room and loved to shop, almost as much as she loved The Lord.  Her husband liked to joke that she was so good at finding a deal that by the time she checked out at Belk’s they were writing her a check. 

     Wanda had a giving spirit, was the rock of her family who were so important to her, never wanting credit for any of the endless support and help she gave to her family, friends and community. She was a faithful Christian who was humble. She had a sense of humor right up until the end, which brought much needed laughter in the darkest of days.  She has left an enormous hole in the family, but we have peace knowing she is with God and no doubt earned her wings while here on earth. We find comfort in knowing we will see her again, but until then, she will be deeply missed.

     Memorial contributions may be made to Potts Memorial Presbyterian Church to their Cemetery Fund, 4085 NC-11, Willard, NC 28478.

     Celebration of Life service to be held grave-side at Potts Memorial Presbyterian Church at 11am Friday, January 9, 2026.

     You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by selecting our Tribute Wall above.

     Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Wallace is serving the Marks family. 

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