Marjorie Anne Gardner George

Marjorie Gardner George, 78, beloved wife of William “Bill” Grady George, passed away peacefully at her home on July 8, 2026. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who will be dearly missed.

Marjorie had a smile that could brighten any room and anyone’s heart. With her bright eyes and gentle, selfless, inquisitive spirit, she was always curious and ready to listen—to a dear family member, friend, or someone she had just met. It brought her joy to stay meaningfully connected with her long-distance relatives with regular visits and phone calls.

Born on April 28, 1948 to John Calhoun Gardner and Marjorie Sheffield Gardner in Daytona Beach, FL, Marjorie grew up primarily in Savannah, GA. She graduated from HV Jenkins High School in 1966, where she played intramural basketball and graduated with honors. She always looked forward to attending class reunions and reconnecting with friends and classmates.

After attending Shorter College (Rome, GA), Marjorie transferred to Mercer University (Macon, GA) in the fall of 1967. Just prior to the semester, she attended a student retreat where she met Bill for the first time, as well as a circle of friends that have remained among her dearest friends throughout her life. She graduated with honors from Mercer in 1970, where she excelled academically and thrived in the religious community of the university.

Marjorie and Bill were married on June 20, 1970, and after Bill finished seminary, they made their home in Lexington, SC. Marjorie loved taking care of her family and their home, whether it was cooking, doing needlework, working in the yard, tending a vegetable garden, or caring for roses. She loved the beach, jigsaw puzzles, playing games, attending the symphony, participating in church, and spending time with family.

As the daughter of a family that owned an ACE Hardware store, Marjorie was comfortable serving and developing relationships with others. Her family also included several church pianists and organists, so Marjorie was exposed to church music at an early age, and she enjoyed singing alto in church choirs all her life. Marjorie’s deep faith in God and her engagement in church life were at the heart of who she was. She was passionate about affirming and nurturing the faith journey of others. Reflecting that, she was on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Baptists in the 1990’s, and she was excited about her work with the Pastoral Intern and Residency Program at First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC.

Marjorie’s career has been one marked by serving others. While being home full-time with her daughter, Kimberly, Marjorie was deeply involved in her local Homemakers Club, where she developed special friendships and held several leadership positions. Later, while working full-time, she worked in a variety of settings including Lexington County Coordinator for Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) and as Volunteer Coordinator at Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church (Columbia, SC). During her work for the SC Baptist Convention, she served as Liaison for the Ethics and Public Affairs Committee and later, the Education Department of the Convention.

After relocating to Easley, SC in 1990, Marjorie quickly became involved in the community through a variety of roles at Senior Action and eventually as their Interim Director. Through community relationships and family experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease, Marjorie found her vocational home with the Alzheimer’s Association of SC. She served as Program Director for Greenville, Pickens, and Laurens counties for close to 20 years before her retirement. She was deeply committed to the education and support of persons with dementia and their families.

Marjorie is predeceased by her parents; her uncle, Robert Woodruff Sheffield; her aunt, Norma Shefflield Braden; and uncle, Frank Gardner. In addition to her husband, Bill, she is survived by her daughter, Kimberly George Taylor (Alan) of Cary, NC; her two grandchildren, whom she delighted in, Emily and Matthew; her brother, John “Jack” Calhoun Gardner, Jr. (Cathy) of Savannah, GA; her nieces, Laura Gardner Geiger (Philip) of Raleigh, NC and Jennifer Gardner Faith (Jeff) of Rincon, GA; as well as many extended family members that Marjorie cherished.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 1:30pm in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC, with a reception following in the Parlor (847 Cleveland St., Greenville, SC 29601). Private interment will be in the Remembrance Garden and Columbarium at a later date, also at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marjorie’s memory to First Baptist Church and will be designated to the Foundation General Tithe Fund, 847 Cleveland St., Greenville, SC 29601. https://onrealm.org/firstbaptistgreenville/-/form/give/now (Choose “Memorial-Foundation”) or Triune Mercy Center, PO Box 3844, Greenville, SC. 29608. https://triunemercy.org/donate.php.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory-Downtown, Easley.