Marie N. Word's Obituary
Mrs. Marie Nichols Word, 97, departed this life on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at her residence in Chattanooga, Tennessee, surrounded by her loving, devoted family. Marie was born on May 4, 1928, in Birmingham, Alabama to Ruthie Mae Pfifer and Dan Calvin. At the tender age of 3, Marie’s mother went to be with the Lord, and Marie was raised by her grandmother, Levonia Lloyd. She graduated from Immaculata High School in Birmingham. She met and married Joseph Word, Sr., and they moved to Chattanooga in 1951.
Upon moving to Chattanooga, Marie became a member of Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. William H. Ryan, Jr., where she served on the BTU. Marie was employed by Cumberland Case Company and Erlanger Medical Center.
Marie was a devoted mother and grandmother, and her love was her family. She loved the family get-togethers/holidays because she knew she would be with family and eat good.
Marie was preceded in death by her youngest son, Randy W. Word; daughter-in-law, Geraldine Word; and son-in-law, Thomas Smith.
Marie leaves a legacy of love through her children, 7 daughters, Patricia L. Word of Chattanooga, Gloria J. (Arthur) Carlisle of Stockbridge, GA, Barbara A. (John) Brown, Linda F. (Garry) Tooks, Althea M. Smith, Iris L. Walker, and LaWanda Gail (Walter) Russell; 2 sons, Joseph (Cathy Randolph) Word and Charles L. (Rosemary Herring) Hester of Chattanooga; special nieces, Patrice (Isiah Hester) of Chattanooga and Pauline Word of Birmingham; goddaughter, LaShawn Hawthorne; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
Marie lived a great life and her legacy lives on.
Marie will lie-in-state on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 12:00 noon at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church located at 1800 N. Chamberlain Avenue with Pastor Bobby Hampton as Eulogist. Burial in Forest Hills Cemetery.
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