Marcella Lee Harper Riffe slipped quietly into the realms of the Heaven she longed for on Saturday, March 15, 2025, following a gradual decline in health. Born on March 3, 1940, to the late Dennis Harper and Beulah Cavendish Harper, she celebrated her 85th birthday on March 3.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, E. Howard Riffe, in 2017. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Harper and Bruce Harper, and a sister, Novella Perkins.

Those left to cherish her memory are two sons and a daughter, Charles Ray Riffe and companion, Kim Rexroad, of Mt. Lookout, WV; Howard Dennis Riffe of Willow Springs, NC; and Sherri Ann and husband, John McLamb, of Raleigh, NC.

She is also survived by two grandchildren, Candice and husband, Brian Carr, and Shane Riffe; five great-grandchildren, Lynzi, Dylon, Ryan, Brynna, and Shaylynn; three great-great grandchildren, Rayen, Iziyah, and Nyla.

Additional survivors include two sisters, June Harper of Hico, WV, and Verna May Farley of Fairborn, OH. She is also survived by six Riffe sisters-in-laws--Rosanna, Mary Ellen, Vivian, Loretta, Rachel, and Rebecca, and four Riffe brothers-in-law-Jan, Robert, Don, Butch, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Marcella is also survived by her long-time friend and travel and quilting buddy, Sue Lively, of Beckley, WV.

Marcella was a remarkable self-made woman who grew from adversity to a fulfilling life. At the age of five, her mother died of cancer leaving six small children behind. In order for her father to continue to work and support the family, the children were taken in by relatives and never again lived together as a family unit. Marcella never shied away from hard work. When living with her aunt who ran a boarding house for nurses in training, Marcella accepted the task of stripping all the beds over the weekend, washing linens, and having everything ready to go again on Sunday evening. Marcella learned at a tender age how to cook, clean, and manage a household. At the age of thirteen, she asked her father to let her keep house for him and fulfilled her promise until the sad day when she received the news that her father had been killed in a car accident when hit by a drunken driver. To say that her childhood was easy would be untrue; to say that she faced adversity with courage does not do justice to the life she and Howard created for themselves and their children.

Marcella was an employee of Bank of Raleigh (now City National Bank) for many years. Always a loyal employee, her word could always be relied on. She was a lady of many talents who perfected the art of quilting and painting. She enjoyed working with flowers, and as her granddaughter said, she also knew the names of all the flowers.

Known to most as being a quiet and behind-the-scenes person, Marcella had a quick wit with a funny retort that would leave the room in laughter. She served faithfully and tirelessly on the Hospitality Committee of Crab Orchard Baptist Church and in earlier days, served in the church nursery on Wednesday nights for many years.

Marcella was never one to hold to ceremony. Therefore, she will be laid to rest privately beside Howard at Sunset Memorial Park in the quietness of the day with those nearby whom she held dearest in her heart.

The family extends an invitation to family and friends to join them for a Celebration of Marcella's Life on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Crab Orchard Baptist Church, 1501 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Crab Orchard, WV, under the direction of Pastor David Bush and Pastor Dan Patton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marcella's memory may be mailed to her church, Crab Orchard Baptist Church, NOW Outreach, P.O. Box 446, Crab Orchard, WV 25827.

Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center has the honor of serving the family. Please visit www.meltonmortuary.com to leave expressions of sympathy or condolences to the family.