Marylynn Sloop's Obituary
Marylynn Kay Ferguson Sloop, age 86, of Moravian Falls, NC went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 30, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.
Marylynn was born in the Ozarks in Springfield, Missouri on February 18, 1938, a year before World War II began. Marylynn lived in many places throughout her childhood. She was born into a musical family, so she grew her love of music from her earliest days. Her father was a public school music teacher during her childhood, and later a Minister of Music. She started violin lessons in kindergarten, and later played flute and violin in her school orchestras and bands, and sang in her father’s choirs. In 1951 they moved to Columbia, SC, where she attended Columbia High School. Marylynn was Valedictorian of her class and gave the Valedictory Address at her graduation in May, 1956. She then went on to graduate in 1960 from Furman University in Greenville, SC, where she majored in Music Education and was a member of her beloved Furman Singers.
Marylynn started her first job in education as an assistant in Special Education where her passion for working with children with learning disabilities was born. She completed her Masters’ degree in Special Education from East Carolina University in 1976. She began her special ed career in Forsyth County at Moore School in Winston-Salem, NC where she devoted 22 years to her love of teaching until she retired in 1998. She was the epitome of an educator who always wanted the best for her students and fellow teachers. Although she had many great achievements throughout her life, the greatest were the birth of her children, Melody (1963) and Neal (1966). Marylynn spent the later years of her life rooting for the NC State Wolfpack, traveling with her husband Larry, attending a number of Furman Singers reunions with her sister Jane, and spending time with her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she treasured so dearly.
Marylynn is survived by her sister, Jane Meredith; her brother Jim Ferguson (Toni); her daughter Melody Worsham (Mark), her son Neal Forbes (Angie); her grandchildren Josh Worsham (Whitney), Justin Worsham (Emily), Emily Boyd (Patrick), Olivia Raper (Caleb); her great-grandchildren Thomas, Lucy, Marley, Willow, Noah, Magnolia, Judah Brave and Bear. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Jim and Fern Ferguson and her husband of 32 years, Larry Sloop.
An intimate celebration of life with immediate family will be held to honor her 87th birthday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Anchor Ridge Non-profit organization, 1137 River Road Liberty Grove Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 to aid those affected by Hurricane Helene. Online condolences may be made at https://anchorridge.org/.
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