Marchie J. Bilbrey

Marchie J. Bilbrey, age 88, of Battle Creek died peacefully at the Laurels of Bedford on Thursday evening, October 30, 2014. She was born in Dayton, Tennessee on May 25, 1926, the loving daughter of Charles and Allie May (Holland) Morgan. Marchie graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1944 and worked at the Buttermilk Shop during WWII.

Marchie married the "Love of Her Life", Dennis F. Bilbrey in Battle Creek on March 31, 1946; he sadly preceded her in death on August 28, 1991. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her son, Jerry Duane Bilbrey, and a brother, Charles M. Morgan. Marchie is survived by her sons, Kenneth D. (Valinda) Bilbrey of Des Moines, Iowa, and Gary L. Bilbrey of Battle Creek; a daughter, Denise A. (James) Beech of Battle Creek; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley (Albert) Bellwood, and a sister-in-law, Virginia Bilbrey.

Marchie was a loving, devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, landscaping and working in her vegetable & flower gardens. She decorated the outside of her home for all holidays and won the Home Beautification Award twice. A true matriarch, Marchie loved cooking and spending time with her family.

The family will receive friends 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where funeral services to celebrate her life will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 5, 2014 with Pastor Randy Sebright of the Christ Bible Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the American Cancer Society. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Marchie may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.