Ms. Marion Elizabeth Shanks, 51, of Vidalia, passed away, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at home surrounded by family and friends. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 12, at 11 a.m. at Promise Connection Ministries with Bishop Theotis Summerset, Jr. officiating. Interment followed in Swainsboro City Cemetery. The family received friends Monday, March 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Alex Jenkins, Carenzo Jackson, Octavian Edwards, Darriance Williams, Xavier Jackson and, Johnny Royal.
Flower bearers were best friends and the Class of 1991.
Marion was born January 31,1973, in Swainsboro, to the late Gurtie Lee Shanks and Raymond Shanks, Sr. Born and raised in Swainsboro, she grew up with three sisters and six brothers. Marion graduated from Swainsboro High School in 1991, then furthered her education and graduated from Swainsboro Technical College with a Diploma in Accounting in 1993. Her love for people and caring for others led her to the Bethany Home in Vidalia and established her life there in Vidalia. Marion was a devoted employee of the Bethany Home for many years. She also became an employee of Trane, Inc. Marion worked both jobs for many years until her health declined. After a few years of not working, Marion decided to get back to the working field and gained employment with Brewton Parker College. She enjoyed working there and being around people. Marion was a hard worker and loved people. To know her was to love her. Marion was a kind, loving, devoted, caring individual. She saw the good in everyone and was quick to take someone “under her wing.” Marion had many adopted best-friends, children and grandchildren. If you knew her then you know that she loved her children, but her grandchildren were her world. Also, to know Marion you would know that she had strong faith. She held true to the Bible verse, 2 Corinthians 5:7 “for we walk by faith, not by sight”. Marion was an avid church member and loved the Lord and her church. She was a member of The Guiding Light Worship Center, “Sisters With A Purpose”, “Nurse’s Guild” and “Prayer Warriors”. Ministry was Marion’s passion. Ms. Shanks is preceded in death by her mother; foster mother, Christine Bell; and brother, Mannix Pullens.
Ms. Shanks leaves to cherish her memories with her father, Raymond Shanks Sr. of Vidalia; children, Quantiana “Tee” Lovette (LaDarris) of Statesboro, Quantez “Tez” Gillis of Decatur, Vernincia “Boobie” Gillis, Wykebia “Kebie” McKinney and Wykeria “Kerie” McKinney, all of Vidalia; her most prized possessions, her grandchildren, Qua’Nyla “Nyla” Gillis of Atlanta, De’Mari “D.J.” Jenkins, Damian “2 J” Jones of Vidalia, Aubrianna “Aubri” Royal of Statesboro, Aliyah “Liah” Jones, Kamari “Mari” McKinney, Zaylee Hanson, Melonie “Lon-Lon” McKinney, Blossom Stokes, all of Vidalia and Malachi Lovette, of Statesboro; her soon to enter the world grandson, Major Edwards; four sisters, Teresa “Resa” Shanks of New Hampshire, Tonya Shanks of Atlanta, Tonya “Kim” Moorman of Swainsboro and Tracy (Arthur) Cubreth of Statesboro; five brothers, Raymond “Jr.” (Torri) Shanks, Jr. of Alamo, Timothy “Timmy” (Jacquelyn) Shanks, Gerald Shanks of Swainsboro, Jimmy Shanks of Vidalia and Lashawn “Ray Paul” Shanks of Valdosta; many, many devoted and loyal friends, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.
