Marlene Victoria Fritts Graves quietly left her earthly life on June 23, 2026, for her new home in Glory. She passed away while a resident at the Bermuda Commons in Advance, North Carolina.

Marlene was born July 29, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Marlet Simmons Fritts and Victoria Rose Oldakowski Fritts. As we celebrate her life, all praises and thanks are uplifted to the Most High, as He was "Her Light and Salvation."

She was educated in the Davidson County public schools, and graduated from Lexington High School, Lexington, North Carolina. She was employed with and retired from Bermuda Run Senior Apartments, Advance, North Carolina.

A true believer, Marlene enjoyed watching various religious programs, following several church services on Sunday mornings, and in the last few years, she found comfort listening to several religious stations on the radio.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Rosalia (Rosy) Bukeria Oldakowski and maternal grandfather, Victor Oldakowski.

In her leisure time she enjoyed watching all sports and spending time with her family and friends. You might even see her giggle a little as she watched the entertaining drama on the tv show "Cheaters."

Left in the sunshine of life are two daughters, Cherie (Donald, Jr.) Grubbs of Mocksville, North Carolina and Carla Howard; five grandchildren: Zachary (Macy) Howard, Shelton Howard, Nathaniel Howard, Carly Walser and David Howard; a sister, Gail (Steve) Fritts of Lexington, North Carolina; good friend, Victoria Baxley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The Family will plan a private memorial service at a later date.