Marilyn Elizabeth Felts Ott Close went home to be with her Heavenly Father on April 29, 2023 after suffering from health complications stemming from a stroke. Marilyn was born on March 9, 1949 in Norfolk, Virginia as the only child of Robert and Margeanna Carter Felts. She was a graduate of the Class of 1967 from Norview High School, attended Old Dominion University, and later in life earned a Certificate of Counseling from the Christian Counseling & Training Center in Richmond, Virginia. Marilyn was a lifelong learner who thrived on studying the Bible and trying her hand at new artistic trades. Together with her husband, Lance, Marilyn owned and operated a successful photography business until his death in 2001. Until recently, she continued to work as a freelance professional aerial and architectural photographer.
Marilyn is predeceased by her late husband and love of her life, Lance Ott, with whom she married in 1977 and share three children and five grandchildren. She is survived by her three children, Lindsay Stapleton (Toby), Kelly Ott, and Paul Ott, and her five grandchildren, Skylar Stapleton, Gracie Duke, McKenna Stapleton, Lila Mae Jeffrey, and Meadow Outland. The greatest joy of Marilyn's life was spending time with her family, sharing an adventure and a meal, and creating something beautifully artistic together. She was proud of who her grandchildren are becoming as young adults and seeing them each discover their passions in life. Marilyn remained close to her sister-in-law, Donna Eason (Robert) throughout her life. She was always proud of her extended family from the Murfreesboro, North Carolina area. Marilyn is also survived by her loving husband of fifteen years, Truman Close, her four step children (Greg, Julie, John, Matthew), and ten grandchildren (Ava, Gracie Kay, Carly, Gus, Jack, Eleanor, Olivia, Clara. Cate, and Bea), whom she loved as her own. Marilyn had many lifelong friends and found great joy in praying together with those friends on a regular basis.
At the age of 17, when her mother passed away, Marilyn's father bought her a horse. She would spend her life riding horses. As a grandmother, she found great joy in taking her grandchildren for a horseback riding lesson and introducing them to the many horses she had grown to love. Marilyn enjoyed a simple lifestyle, but she kept an adventurous, whimsical, and spontaneous spirit until her final days.
To know Marilyn was to know that she loved Jesus Christ with all her energy, soul, and mind. Her greatest mission in life was for each person she encountered to have an opportunity to know God and to enjoy a life spent on mission for Him. Marilyn was a long time member of Tabernacle Church of Norfolk and South Norfolk Baptist Church. She remained involved in children's ministry through church and Child Evangelism Fellowship in local elementary school clubs until she was physically unable to do so. She loved to capture children's' hearts through arts, crafts, and storytelling. And if you knew Marilyn, you knew just how artistic Marilyn was, not only in photography, but in decorating, cooking, creating floral arrangements, and landscaping. In her final years, Marilyn was lovingly cared for by her son Paul, who helped her to continue to find joy in the things she loved though she was physically unable to do much. And in those final years, Marilyn had many precious moments studying the Bible and praying together with her husband, Truman.
Marilyn was an outdoor enthusiast, animal lover, a well-traveled explorer.
Marilyn's family would like you to join them in a celebration of her life and ministry at South Norfolk Baptist Church (1101 Chesapeake Ave, Chesapeake, VA) on Saturday, May 6th at 2pm, followed immediately by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, Marilyn's family would like to honor her life in ministry and life's passions through gifts to the following organizations:Triple R Ranch (https://triplerranch.org/giving),Child Evangelism Fellowship (https://www.cefonline.com/donate/), and Williamsburg Aviation Scholarship Program (https://www.waspscholarship.org/donate).
Graham Funeral Home & Cremation Services will be caring for arrangements. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.