Mary Helen (Conley) Marshall passed away February 26 at the age of 97.  She was the epitome of elegance, professionalism and poise. Born on February 9, 1928 in Blue Ridge, Georgia to John and Antha Conley, Helen lived in nine states and led a life of adventure.  A graduate of Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, she married John Marshall at the sweet age of seventeen.  It was war time.  

Family was very important to her.  Helen was mother to two children: Col. John Marshall, Jr. (CMSgt Debbie) of Columbia, SC; and Kathy Snyder (Randy) of Lewisburg, PA.  She is survived by her five grandchildren, to whom she was always “Nana”: Kristy Marshall of Sumter, SC; Julie Pineiro (Al) of Columbia, SC; Jill Kerr (Matthew) of Norwood, MA; Samuel Snyder (Dana) of Danville, CA; and Dana Jackson (Adam) of Boone, NC.  Helen was great grandmother to fourteen beloved great grandchildren: Laurel Miller, Isabella and Joaquin Pineiro, Madeline, James, Eloise, Rose, Violet, and Jessamine Kerr, Ivy, Finley, and Graham Snyder, Gus and Jake Jackson.

Helen is survived by her sister Charlotte Thornburg (Bill) of Lake Murray, SC, nieces Patti Woodburn (John), Pam Corbliss (Mark), Greg Thornburg (Jeppa), Debbie Healy (Steve) and Detra Gould, as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews.

Helen is predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her brother James Conley and his wife Mary Ann.

While Helen leaves behind a remarkable family legacy, her story also includes a life of creativity and professional work. She worked at her local grocery in Accokeek, MD as a teenager.  Following marriage and the birth of her two children, she discovered a talent for fashion coordination and commentary.  She co-founded the MarBea Agency, a modeling school that provided fashion shows all around the Washington D.C. area.  Later on, she promoted cosmetics for Ovation and worked as a make-up artist for Max Factor.  She obtained her license as a real estate agent and appraiser and worked in real estate for three decades, until she retired at the age of 72.

Helen’s favorite hobbies included fashion, bingo, reading, buying and selling vintage jewelry and dish-ware, long road trips, and talking about her children and grand-children. Her beloved family cherishes the memories they have of their time with Helen, who always added a touch of glamour and fun wherever she went.  We are indebted to her daughter-in-law Debbie Marshall for caring for her in a special way during the twilight of her life and thank the caregivers at Harmony Collections, Wildewood Downs, and Agape Hospice who accompanied Helen during the final part of her life journey.

Life celebrations for Helen include visitation on March 8th at 2:00 pm, followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 pm, both at St. Michael and All Angels’ (6408 Bridgewood Rd., Columbia, S.C.). Inurnment will be Sunday, March 9th at 10:00 am, Greenlawn Memorial Park (845 Leesburg Rd., Columbia, S.C.). Thompson Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Helen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Helen’s name.