Marian Arlene (O'neal) Gagnon

Marian Arlene O'neal Gagnon, born in Hartsville, SC on December 20, 1940 to the late Jesse David O’neal and Rose Bell Malloy O’neal, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Scotland Memorial Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Bumgarner Family Funeral Service.  Burial will follow at Smith Cemetery in Rockingham.  The family will receive friends at the funeral one hour prior to the service

Her and her twin sister (Mary) were the only children out of 10 who were actually born in a hospital. Their mother didn't think they survived the birth and did not name them, so they were named after the nurses who cared for them.

Legend has it that because Marian was handicapped, she was picked on relentlessly and learned to fight at a young age.  Finally, she managed to get 'excused' from school after the 8th grade.  Later, in her 40's she completed GED courses in Orlando, Florida to complete her high school education.  While she never worked outside the home except to help her lifelong friend Mildred in her restaurant, she was a stay at home Mom and raised four children.

Marian spent many years as an air force wife, moving all over the United States, but her heart was always in Laurinburg.  No matter where she was in the country....every summer and Christmas break she packed all the kids up and returned to her Mother's house in Laurinburg, not leaving until the very day before school started again.  She loved her childhood home, neighbors and lifelong friends.  During the last 18 months she spent 15 of those months in Florida being nursed back to health.  As soon as she was on her feet and feeling better, she wanted nothing more than to return to Laurinburg.  Against all advice from family and friends she insisted on returning to her home in Laurinburg.  Shortly after returning home her health unfortunately took a turn for the worse, but the family found peace knowing she got to spend her last days in her most favorite place on earth.

Marian loved collecting pictures of her family and friends, working on puzzles, flowers, playing BINGO and talking on the phone with her friends.  She also had an extraordinary love for collard greens and corn fritters cooked 'just right'.  

Marian is survived by her children, Richard Gagnon, Jr., and his wife, Shiela Gagnon, and their children, Richard Gagnon III, Henry David Gagnon, Christine Rose Cerone, Shekha Cassandra Mendoza, and Chevelle Arlene Gagnon; and their six grandchildren; Jesse David Gagnon and his wife, Amy Gagnon, and their children,Jonathan David Gagnon and Jared Michael Gagnon; Marguerite Rose Nason, and her husband, Daryl and their children, Darah Elizabeth Clark, Jacob David Nason, Maryn Emily Nason and Seth Alan Nason; and George Henry Gagnon and his wife, Amber Gagnon, and their children, Mya Rose Gagnon, Josey Rain Gagnon, Zebulin Fox Gagnon, Tyner Wolf Gagnon and Arya Wren Gagnon.  She is preceded in death by eight of her nine siblings; daughter-in-love, Sharon Gagnon; and her grandson, Henry David Gagnon.

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium is assisting the family.

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