Marjorie J. Brines

Marjorie Jeanne Brines, 86, passed away at her residence in Farwell, Michigan, on Saturday, March 6, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Orville Lester Davis and Anna Lois Davis of Greencastle, Indiana. Marjorie Brines began her life’s journey in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 18, 1934, while her father was a faculty member at Gammon Theological Institute located on the campus of Morehouse College. She had a beloved older sister Betty (Benjamin) Dean who also preceded her in death. Marjorie and her family departed Atlanta when she was about six years old for India where her father served as president of Leonard Theological Institute until after World War II when she was about twelve. Because her mother was involved in teaching Bible classes, music, and nutrition to women in India, Marjorie and her older sister were sent to Woodstock School. She often liked to tell of her boarding school experiences and returning to the United States on the troop transport ship USS General Butner. Being the daughter of Methodist missionary parents encouraged her spirit of wonder and adventure and her deep personal relationship with Jesus. Upon graduation from Greencastle High School in 1952, Marjorie attended Indiana State University where she intended to major in art and elementary education. As an ISU freshman, she met her late husband William Thomas Brines at a sorority function. The couple married August 22, 1953; they remarried November 2, 2002. William and Marjorie moved to Flint, Michigan, after college graduation when William was given a teaching position in the Flint Community Schools. They had three sons, Dirk, Greg, and Kurt (deceased). Marjorie was a dedicated hockey mom who made friends easily with the other parents who shivered along the boards at the outdoor ice rinks where she would often watch two to three games in a row. She supported her sons in every activity and event of their lives and took an active interest in all of their friends and classmates. Marjorie contributed to her family’s material support all of her life. As she developed her career in retail sales, she exemplified persistence, integrity, honesty, and empathy. During more than two decades of service, she rarely missed a day of work and often led her Value City Furniture Store in sales. In fact, she was among the corporation’s national sales leaders. Marjorie was appreciated by her sales colleagues and customers alike. Marjorie Brines was very creative and had an eclectic array of interests. She enjoyed painting with water colors and often chose the iris growing outside of her home as subjects. When her sons were toddlers, she made matching outfits for them on her mother’s Singer sewing machine. As a member of the Flint Holy Redeemer church choir, she participated in liturgical music and never hesitated to lend her voice to congregational singing when she wasn’t an official choir member. Later in her life, Alma College musical performances were some of her favorite social events. (Her son Dirk and his wife Mary Ellen taught at Alma College, and their children Vaughn, Margo, and Devin graduated from there.) Marjorie and her neighbors formed a monthly pinochle card club which met at the members’ homes. Sharing baked goods and time together was as important as participation in playing pinochle. Marjorie always had a heart for charities; the March of Dimes was one of her favorites. She was also a lifetime member of the Republican Party. Nature also fascinated Marjorie. She recalled hiking and camping trips she shared with her dad in the mountains of central India. She also had fond memories of working with him in his half-acre Indiana garden. When the harvest came, Marjorie and her dad would distribute the produce to various church members around Greencastle and Bainbridge, Indiana. Varieties of flowers adorned her yard and home. She spent a lot of time outside and would bring things like snail shells, bird feathers, rocks, and acorns into the house to display on shelves. And she loved her pets--mostly dogs. Her most recent dog Scooter was her constant companion on walks around Surrey Lake across from her home. Marjorie Brines is survived by Dirk and Mary Ellen of Farwell, Michigan, and Greg of Gainesville, Florida. Her dear friend Carol Brines was also a frequent visitor and companion. She had five grandchildren: Vaughn (Samanta), Margo, and Devin are Dirk and Mary Ellen’s. John (Brittany) and Jane are Greg and Carol’s. She also had four wonderful great-grandsons who are John and Brittany’s children. Their names are Levi, Jahs, Titus, and Adoniis. She was fiercely proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and she loved to share family photos and stories whenever she could. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Dave Brines, sister-in-law Carolyn Brines, and nieces and nephews in Michigan and Indiana. In addition, she will be missed by friends in Flint, Farwell, and Sanford, Michigan, as well as those in Indiana and Florida. Marjorie will always be remembered for her generosity and her encouraging, reassuring attitude, especially in times of adversity. Her greatest gifts were faith, hope, and love of God and neighbors--all expressions of the love God has for her. A celebration of Marjorie’s life will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at the Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Cecilia Site. Arrangements were handled by the Farwell Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be left at www.stephenson-wyman.com

Marjorie J. Brines

August 18, 1934 - March 6, 2021