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OXFORD - Marie Gupton Currin passed away on August 25, 2014, in the early morning hours at her home in Oak Hill Township in Northern Granville County surrounded by her family. Marie is survived by her four children and their families. Her eldest son is Theodore R. Currin, married to Leslie T. Currin. Ted and Leslie’s children are Theodore Joseph Currin and Mary Hannah Currin—all of Stoneville, North Carolina. Her second eldest son is Thomas L. Currin of Oxford, North Carolina, married to Grey T. Currin. Tom and Grey’s children are Patrick T. Currin and Katherine Currin who is married to Kobie Morris. Her daughter is Cynthia M. Currin of Raleigh, North Carolina, married to John Frederick Webb III. Cynthia and John’s children are Suzanne M. Webb and Caroline K. Webb. Her youngest son is Timothy D. Currin of Oxford, North Carolina, married to Brenda F. Currin. Marie is also survived by her sister, Dorothy G. Wilkinson of Oxford, NC. Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Arthur Ray Currin. Before his death, they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on February 7, 2012.

Marie was the daughter of Olive Cheaves Gupton and Theodore R. Gupton of Franklin County. Marie was born on March 2, 1921 in Gold Mine Township of Franklin County. She graduated from Gold Sand High School in 1938, where she enjoyed Glee Club and Music. Marie attended Louisburg College from 1938 to 1939. She attended East Carolina Teacher’s College from 1939 to 1942, graduating with a double major in Science and Home Economics in 1942. She worked in the Dean’s Office while enrolled at East Carolina.

Marie married Arthur R. Currin of Oak Hill Township of Granville County on February 6, 1945. While Arthur served in the 103rd Infantry Division of the United States Army in the Spring Offensive of 1945 in Europe, Marie taught Home Economics at Creedmoor High School in Creedmoor, North Carolina.

Marie taught Science and Home Economics at Oak Hill High School in Northern Granville County from 1942 to 1943, from 1946 to 1951, and from 1961 to 1962. Marie then taught General Science at J.F. Webb High School from 1963 to 1972, and taught General Science to 9th graders at D. N. Hix School from 1972 to 1982. Marie retired after 30 years of teaching.

Marie was a dedicated educator and a lifelong supporter of the National Education Association and the North Carolina Education Association. She was active in the Oxford Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority from 1966 throughout her teaching career.

Marie had been an active member of Amis Chapel Baptist Church since 1945.

Marie and Arthur operated their Oak Hill farm for six decades. When her children were small, Marie often would be left in their home alone with them while Arthur answered the numerous calls which required him to work all hours as a Deputy Sheriff, an ABC Law Enforcement Officer, and finally, the High Sheriff of Granville County.

Marie and her husband Arthur traveled on five occasions to Europe in the last 30 years to attend veterans’ events and memorial services. They attended the dedication of the memorial at Pfaffenhoffen, Alsace to the liberators of France, where Arthur served as a delegate for the 103rd Division. Marie and Arthur frequently attended 103rd Division Army Reunions and national meetings across the United States.

Marie had a special bond with her sister Dorothy. They attended grade school in a 3-room white frame schoolhouse at Centerville in Franklin County. They were members of Sarepta Methodist Church, where some of Marie’s fondest memories were of singing solos and duets as a very young girl. Marie told stories of traveling with her Grandpa Pate Gupton on a horse-drawn buggy to get grain ground at Laurel Mill. She also told of watching Grandma Pat make bread with her own homemade yeast cakes, using hops grown at their homeplace. Marie recalled the first electricity to the farm in the 1930’s, with each room having a single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. It was Marie’s job to see that the family electric bill was paid to Carolina Power & Light Company each month by placing three $1 bills in an envelope bearing a 3 cent stamp in their rural mailbox.

Marie was an avid reader who kept the table beside her chair stacked with novels and non-fiction books. She played piano, was an extraordinary cook and cherished her family and grandchildren. Marie dedicated her life to home and family.

Visitation will be held at the home of Tom and Grey Currin, 316 Main Street, Oxford, NC, from 7 o’clock p.m. until 8:30 o’clock p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2014. Services will be conducted by Reverend Terry Howard at 11 o’clock a.m. at Amis Chapel Baptist Church on Wednesday, August 27, 2014.

Contributions may be made to Amis Chapel Baptist Church. c/o Gerald Rene Frazier, 9189 Amis Chapel Rd., Oxford, NC 27565.

Gentry-Newell & Vaughan Funeral Home is assisting the Currin family. For online condolences, go to www.hallwynne.com and select obituaries.

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