Marzelle Jennings Kilby

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Mrs. Marzelle Jennings Kilby, age 90, of Millers Creek passed away peacefully on January 18 at Central Continuing Care in Mount Airy, NC surrounded by her family. 

Mrs. Kilby was born April 13, 1934, to Dewey Spencer Jennings and Mattie Roope Jennings of the Mulberry community. Mrs. Kilby was a graduate of Wilkes Central High School. In the 1960s, Marzelle began her banking career which spanned 35 years. She was the first female loan officer at Northwestern Bank, which later became First Union where she also served as Assistant Vice President. She enjoyed a very successful banking career and her joy as a loan officer was working with people of all ages and helping them purchase homes, automobiles, and start businesses in and around Wilkes County. She was loved and respected by the many clients she helped and her banking colleagues.  Outside of her work, Marzelle enjoyed spending time with her many friends, who were like family to her. She was a faithful member of Pleasant Home Baptist Church in Millers Creek, where she served in many capacities as Church Clerk, a member of the church choir, and Chair of the Bereavement Committee. She was devoted to her church and was a devout Christian who loved reading and studying God’s Word. Marzelle loved to cook and share food with others. One of her favorite pastimes was reading cookbooks and discovering new dishes to prepare. 

Mrs. Kilby is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 44 years, E. Paris Kilby, one sister, Betty Jean Jennings Lankford and one brother-in-law, Donald John Lankford. 

She is survived by her nephew, Van Lankford (Ann) of Mount Airy, NC, one great niece, Molly (Alan) Hudson of State Road, NC, one great nephew, Evan (Jessie) Lankford of Huntersville, NC, and three great, great nieces, Savannah and Allie Hudson and Reagan Lankford. She is also survived by four special friends, Gladys McGlamery, Jane Shoemaker, Helen Stanley, and Carolyn Darnell.  

A funeral service will be conducted January 25 at 11:00 am at Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Millers Creek with Pastor Trent Craven and Rev. Mike Church officiating. Interment will be at Mountlawn Memorial Park immediately following the service. The family will receive friends at graveside following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorials be made to Pleasant Home Baptist Church.

The family wishes to express much appreciation to the staff of Wilkes Senior Village, Wilkesboro, and the staff of Central Continuing Care, Mount Airy for the excellent care Marzelle received in the past four years.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com

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