Josie Caroline Willis Seagle

Josie Caroline Willis Seagle, 91, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Friday, February 11, 2022 at UNC Health Blue Ridge.

She was born in McDowell County on September 06, 1930 to the late Mack Clarence Willis and Marjorie Viola Young Willis.

Josie was a faithful woman who loved God, loved her family, loved her church, loved her friends and loved her community where she lived her entire life. She was a strong and courageous woman placing God first in her life and sacrificing much for herself to provide the best in life and education for her family. 

Josie worked  in the optometry field for most of her life. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Marion where she sang in the choir and chaperoned many youth retreats in her younger days. Josie also enjoyed participating with the church’s Saints Alive senior adult group. She will be remembered for her kindness and outgoing personality. Her friendliness and smile in the community will not be forgotten. She was always quick to tell you a story or brag upon her dearly loved family.

For over 50 years, Josie’s hobby was to  walk 2-5 miles daily throughout her neighborhood, on the Peavine Trail, on Main Street or up Mount Ida,  until the age of 90. She loved spending time with her dear friends sharing a meal or sharing a laugh. She truly loved God and loved her neighbor and showed this through her day to day life.  She was an excellent cook taking pride in preparing meals for family and friends.  She loved her family, and was extremely proud of her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Dean Franklin Seagle; and a sister, Betty Willis Hall.

She is survived by her son, Richard Seagle (Melodie); two grandchildren, Chandler Seagle and Jenna Seagle; her niece, Brenda Hall Edwards (Morris) and their son, Christopher Edwards; her nephew, Robert Hall (Karen) and their children, Andrew Hall and Zach Hall; and her nephew Doug Seagle.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Marion with Dr. Scott Hagaman officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the church.  Burial will follow at Marion’s Oak Grove Cemetery with her son, Dr. Richard Seagle officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to either First Baptist Church of Marion’s Music Fund or First Baptist Church of New Bern’s College Scholarship Fund. These were two areas of Ministry very important to Josie.

The immediate family wishes to thank Josie’s close group of family, friends, chosen sisters, “adopted daughters,” and Golden Girls who meant so much to her throughout her life and provided so much joy and care for her especially in her elder years. We would especially like to thank Jo Pyatt (Cline) for her special love and care during the last years.