Marlea S Whitfield

Marlea Strickland Whitfield, of Clinton North Carolina, was born January 21, 1968, and departed to her
heavenly home on August 5, 2023, at UNC Medical Center, Chapel Hill North Carolina. She was preceded
in death by a niece Meredith Rose Bell. Marlea leaves behind to cherish her memories a beloved
husband of 28 years, Jason Whitfield; a daughter Abigail Whitfield of Garner NC, and a son Chandler
Whitfield (Crystal) of Wilmington, NC; her parents Raeford and Lois Strickland of Clinton, NC, a sister
Priscilla Strickland Bell (Phillip), two brothers, Phillip Strickland of Dunn, NC, and Tony Strickland (Evelyn)
all of Clinton NC.
Marlea attended Midway high school where she was known for her athletic abilities in volleyball and
basketball. After graduating from high school, she attended Pembroke State University in Pembroke
North Carolina, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After graduating
Marlea had a career at Sprint Telephone Company before accepting a position as the Housing
Coordinator for the Coharie Tribe. As the Housing Coordinator, Marlea took great joy in opportunities to
assist individuals with housing interests.
Marlea was a born-again Christian who devoted her life to the Lord Jesus Christ. She was a faithful
member of Island Grove Baptist Church. Marlea enjoyed spending time with her church family,
attending church events, going on church outings to the mountains with the senior adults, and
participating in mission trips to Baltimore, Maryland.
Above all else, Marlea was a dedicated mother and an outstanding wife. She loved spending time with
her children and later extending her love to her grandchildren. Marlea also loved her parents, sister, and
brothers. She especially enjoyed shopping adventures with her daughter, sister, and parents.
In June 2020 Marlea had a double lung transplant. This procedure brought many challenges to her life,
but she was courageous, determined, and pressed through every obstacle that arose because of this
significant change in her life. She fought a GOOD fight, always kept the faith and was so resilient until
her heavenly Father decided she had fought long enough. Marlea was on a “Win-Win Journey”, and she
won her race. Marlea will be greatly missed, but our loss is heaven’s gain.

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