Marjorie Wages (5-4-12)

AUBURN – Marjorie Nell Leach Wages, 85, died Friday, May 4, 2012.

She was born in Summerville in 1926, the daughter of the late Ruth McClung Leach and Joseph William Leach Sr. She grew up in Rome. In 1948 she married Guy William Wages of Auburn. They worked and raised a family in Chattanooga, Tenn., before retiring back to Auburn.

She graduated from Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville and then in later life returned to college to earn a master’s degree in education with a specialty in teaching reading at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Ooltewah Elementary. She devoted her professional life to teaching school at Eastdale Elementary in Chattanooga and Ooleteway Elementary.

In addition to her teaching career she devoted much of her time to her community. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother for many years. She and Guy were active in the PTA at Eastdale Elementary. She was a member of Harmony Grove Methodist Church where for some time she was head of the cemetery committee. She did extensive work on the genealogy of the Leach and Wages families of Georgia. She also worked for years cataloging detailed information from gravestones for the “Barrow Cemetery Book.” She also taught an adult Sunday School Class.

Mrs. Wages was preceded in death by her husband, Guy William Wages Sr.; and a brother, Joseph William Leach Jr.

Survivors include sons, James Lee Wages, Auburn, Samuel Eugene Wages and wife Debra Drakeford Wages, Levelland, Texas, Guy William Wages Jr. and wife Cynthia Yeager Wages, Knoxville, Tenn.; daughter, Janet Lynn Wages, Chattanooga, Tenn.; two granddaughters; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at the Harmony Grove Methodist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.