Marilyn Jean Satterfield

Marilyn Satterfield (nee: Lagedrost; Evans) of Greenville, SC, after an extended illness and hospice care for the past several months, passed peacefully at home on the morning of Friday, October 22nd with her husband Charles Satterfield at her bedside.

In addition to being the beloved wife and companion of Charles for the past 33 years, Marilyn was also the devoted mother of three children Brian (Mouna) Evans, Melanie (Charlie) White, and Wendy Chaney (John Sanfratello, Steve Chaney), and a dear sister to Carol Mueller and Larry (Nancy) Lagedrost. A loving and supportive grandmother to four grandchildren Rebecca White, Brandon Chaney, Jenna Evans, and Theresa White, and to nieces and nephews Michelle Mueller, Joseph (Jamie) Mueller, Matt (Ann) Lagedrost, and Cindy (John) Witte. Marilyn was also an encouraging step-mother to Gail (Leon) Garrett, Gary (Diane) Satterfield, and Michael (Deborah) Satterfield and step-mother-in-law to Joyce Satterfield, step-grandmother to Kelly (Jay) Mabry, Faith (Joshua) Scruggs, Jamie Satterfield, Jessie Satterfield, Chris Satterfield, Crystal Satterfield, Adam Satterfield, and Charley (Billy) Moon, as well as a step-great-grandmother to 17 children. Preceded in death by her parents Mary Lagedrost (Oct. 2004) and Walter Lagedrost (Oct. 1991), her first husband Harry Evans (Dec. 1980), and step-children Joseph Satterfield (Jun. 2017) and Lloyd Satterfield (Apr. 2018).

Born in Cincinnati, OH on May 4, 1940, Marilyn’s family lived in North College Hill, OH for the first seven years of her life before moving to Amberley Village, OH and then finally settling in Fort Thomas, KY in 1954. Her father, Walter, after serving in the Naval Air Force during the final two years of the second World War (1944-45) while Marilyn was 4 and 5 years old, worked for Hess and Eisenhardt in Fairfield, OH, before leaving that employment in the early 1950s to manage and later purchase bowling alleys, which ultimately led to his final bowling alley in the 1960s, “Walt’s Center Lanes”, in Newport, KY which is still in operation.

Growing up as the oldest of her three siblings, Marilyn was particularly close to her younger sister of 21-months, Carol. Inseparable as children, the sisters took ballet & tap dance classes, enjoyed accordion lessons, played board games, listened to their favorite song “Buttons and Bows” on their record player, shared a bedroom for 20 plus years, and essentially went everywhere together. With her younger brother of seven years, Larry, Marilyn’s relationship was more nurturing and protective given the significant age difference between them.

Marilyn attended St. Thomas High School, in Fort Thomas, KY before receiving a B.A. in Elementary Education from Thomas More College, a Catholic, liberal arts college, in Covington, KY in 1962. With ambitions to help children learn and broaden their minds, she taught 4th grade at Silver Grove Elementary School in Silver Grove, KY and later tutored students for many years – a love of teaching children that even extended to her tutoring of her own children, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren.

In 1959, as a sophomore at Thomas More College, Marilyn met her first husband, Harry Evans, who was in his senior year there. They enjoyed discussing all kinds of ideas. She appreciated his confidence, inquisitive mind, and sense of humor. He admired her faith and strength of character and mind, and saw in her the woman who would change his life. Beginning each of their dates with a church visit, Marilyn particularly cherished Harry’s proposal of marriage to her at church. Married on June 15, 1963 at age 23, the young couple stayed in the Cincinnati, OH area for a couple of years before moving to Belpre, OH, then Marion, OH, and then Florence, KY, before moving to Charlotte, NC in 1972, and then on to Largo, FL in 1973.

Before raising their three young children became her primary responsibility, Marilyn worked in bank operations while Harry worked as a Copywriter and Creative Director in Advertising where he won Addy Awards – with the exception of one year where Marilyn went to work full-time in bank operations while Harry cared for the children while writing a draft of a novel.

Never developing a love for cooking, Marilyn did however always enjoy having dinner on the table with her family. Although she did not participate when Harry played roughhouse with the kids, she enjoyed seeing the fun ensue. And she found planning the many road trips at Christmastime from Florida to Cincinnati to see relatives, and all the sites there, and in between, time well spent. The large Christmas gatherings of relatives were usually held at her parents’ house, where the celebrations were shared with her sister Carol and her brother Larry and their families, and usually included lots of talking, eggnog, handknitted sweaters, and an old nickel slot machine. Larry, Nancy and children say for them these Christmas memories are some of their fondest.

While living in Florida, Marilyn served as a School Crossing Guard for the City of Largo, volunteered as a Room Mother and Milk Shack Coordinator at St. Patrick’s, the Cookie Chair with the Girl Scouts, and a Den Mother with the Cub Scouts. Feeling happy and blessed, when she was not doing all of that, you could find her curled up in her favorite chair with an Agatha Christie novel and a cup of hot tea (especially when one of her kids made the hot tea for her).

Then, shortly after a move to Greenville, SC in 1980, Marilyn’s world changed forever – at age 40, after 17 years of a loving marriage, she unexpectedly found herself a widow after Harry suddenly died of a brain aneurysm.

Facing the challenge of now needing to find a full-time job while caring for one pre-teen and two teenage children as a single parent, Marilyn prayed for God’s guidance and spiritual sustenance. Then one day, she received a phone call from a church member who had found out about her bank operations experience and need for a job from her daughter Melanie during a youth meeting at their church. This resulted in Marilyn being hired at First Union National Bank in Greenville, SC. Marilyn knew in her heart that this opportunity was a miracle and an answer to her prayers.

After she launched all three children into college, she began dating again in 1987 and soon met Charles Satterfield, who was also a widower. Charles proceeded to “sweep her off her feet” and they married in February 1988.

Marilyn was lovingly welcomed by her new step-family – including her five adult step-children Gail, Gary, Lloyd, Michael, and Joseph. And she instantly became a step-grandmother and enjoyed helping and tutoring some of her step-grandchildren, most notably Kelly and Faith Garrett, with their homework.

After several years working at the bank, Marilyn went to work at the RC Cola factory before eventually retiring. Being more of an indoor person, Marilyn was introduced to the joys of fishing and camping by Charles. Together, they enjoyed loving companionship of their beagle dogs, discussing the Bible, and spending time together and with family.

One of Marilyn’s greatest joys was being a grandmother. She enjoyed visits from her children, their spouses, and grandchildren, especially at Christmas. She looked forward to her weekly video calls with her granddaughters, Rebecca and Theresa, for the last eleven years, which were full of laughter, love, and fun. They describe her as a great hype grandma and will remember how good she always made them feel after talking with her. She enjoyed seeing her grandson Brandon as he lived in the Greenville area during his early years. She had the joy of being present at his birth and being a part of his life for 16 years. Jenna enjoyed sending her own music recordings and handmade gifts to her grandmother. Kelly and Faith as adults still relished those special moments with Grandma Marilyn's "big rocking hugs" and attentive conversations. And all the grandchildren enjoyed being read to on Grandma’s lap when they were young.

Marilyn has been described by everyone who has met her as having a “sweet” nature. She was a loving wife, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She wanted to be a “mom” when she grew up and that showed through her love for her children, being an at-home mom for many years, getting her children involved in activities, providing them with Christian education, and being part of a church community. Her children felt blessed to have Marilyn as their mother and look forward to seeing her again one day at the Heavenly reunion. She was not afraid of death, and looked forward to meeting her God and Savior when she passed. Her deepest values were love of God and love of family. She believed that sacrifices might be required on her part, but if God and family are priorities, all else can be seen in perspective.

During Marilyn’s illness for the last 15 years, Charles patiently and lovingly took care of her with his daughter Gail helping him through the hardest times. This past year was particularly difficult as Marilyn’s illness worsened and she lost her mobility. Charles would sit by her bedside, hold her hand, and say that he loved her. And although she was weak, Marilyn was able to tell him that she loved him, too.

Marilyn’s immediate and extended family would like to extend their deepest thanks to all the nurses, doctors, and especially healthcare aides who provided care to Marilyn in her final months and in her passing.

Visitation will be Monday Nov. 8, 2021 at 10:00am with a funeral service to follow at the Westville Funeral Home, 6010 White Horse Rd., Greenville, SC. There will also be live streaming of the service and a recording that can be watched until Nov. 18. Memorials may be made to the Greenville Meals on Wheels.