Marion Francis (White) Partain passed from this life to the next on Friday, July 12, 2024 in Ocean Shores, Washington with her daughter by her side, and lifted by the love and prayers of family and friends near and far.

Marion was born on her grandparent's farm in Crosby County, Texas to Willard A. White and Eva Lillian (Herrington) White. She joined a hard working and musical family, and she grew up there and in nearby Seminole, Texas. She married her high school sweetheart, Calvin Truett Partain on July 14, 1950. Marion's high school days were all about singing and church, school band and choir, and Calvin. The two earned bachelor degrees from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, and later attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Marion was a devoted pastor's girlfriend then wife as Calvin began pastoring at 17 years old, and the two continued to minister into their eighties. Every ministry of Calvin's was also a ministry of Marion's. The two were best friends, partners, and deeply in love with each other the entirety of their lives.

The Partain's early ministry was in Texas, including Florey Baptist Church, Westway Baptist Church, Fluvanna Baptist Church, Olivet Baptist Church, Happy Union Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of O'Donnell. Marion partnered with Calvin as he led this congregation in their first overseas crusade to Japan, and FBC O'Donnell has remained famously missions minded ever since. Marion's three children were born during these years, she forged lifelong friendships here, and she began her career as an elementary school teacher. Marion's love of music and ministry in choir and as a soloist blossomed during this time as did her work with youth and Bible teaching. She was also a very busy mother and seamstress, making most of the family's clothes by hand during these years, and she imparted her love of music to her children who were all enrolled in piano lessons and choir during these years. Family summer vacations always brought the Partains to Southern Colorado for the great camping and fishing, and in 1970 the family moved to Farmington, New Mexico, just South of those mountains, where they bought their first family home.

Marion taught at Northeast and McCormick Elementary Schools while ministering with Calvin at Crestview Baptist Church in Farmington (now Grace Hill). Crestview was blessed through these years and outgrew their campus, relocating atop a hill overlooking the city. All three children graduated from FHS during these years. Marion enjoyed singing and ministering through music during these years and continued sewing most of the family's clothing, including stylish leisure suits for Calvin and Kelly Green uniforms for Paula. She also became popular for her cooking during these years, not just church potluck dishes, but also breakfasts for the entire football team during 2adays. Marion's best friends during this time were women facing similar challenges with family and career, and those friendships continue to this day. The family continued to spend vacations camping in the Colorado mountains and entertained family and friends from Texas.

Once all the children had flown the nest, Calvin and Marion moved to Gallup, where they ministered through the First Baptist Church. Again, the church outgrew its campus and relocated on a hill at the edge of town. Marion's music ministry and Bible teaching flourished during this time. Each of her children was blessed by opportunities to sing with her in ministry during these years. Marion also completed her teaching career in Gallup at Jefferson Elementary. Marion partnered with Calvin as he moved into denominational leadership and service during these years including two terms as President of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico and a term on the board of directors for Southeastern Seminary. The Partain family grew during this time to include children-in-law and grandchildren. Marion's seamstress days gave way to a quilting hobby, and the couple made time for fun with friends, like weekly hand and foot games. The Partain family still gathered for camping and fishing in the mountains of Southern Colorado, but the tent was replaced with a camper.

In 1993, the Partains retired from full time pastoring and began interim ministry. The couple remodeled a home in Belen for this season of their life together, and used their camper more for ministry than recreation. They served churches around the state including Rio Rancho, Eastern Hills of Albuquerque, Bethel of Alamogordo, FBC Silver City, FBC Chama, and even Holliday Baptist in Salt Lake City, UT. In between interim stints, Marion and Calvin focused on making sure their home was perfectly suited for annual grandchildren visits. The couple also took their grandchildren on summer adventures during these years including a trip to San Diego. Marion tended to her mother, who moved in with the Partains for a period of time while they lived in Belen. Marion continued to quilt and sing during this time, eventually joining a touring performance choir, "Young at Heart" where her signature duet was "The Longer I Serve Him." She also served as chief editor/advisor for Calvin as he wrote and published two books. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a weekend of festivities attended by loved ones from near and far. This was the theme for their elder years: visits, calls, and messages from innumerable individuals that had been blessed by their ministry over the years. This pair was dearly loved.

In 2003 Calvin and Marion returned to their favorite home - San Juan County, New Mexico, and built a home in Bloomfield. Marion taught an adult Bible study and partnered with Calvin as Associate Pastor of Discipleship and as a college instructor for Gateway Seminary Extension. Marion and Calvin's family grew during this time as their daughter's marriage added instant adult family to love and great grandchildren quickly followed. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their Washington family at the ocean. Seven years later, when their health began to fail, the Partains moved to Washington state to live with their daughter, which afforded them the opportunity to be near four of their great grandchildren. Facebook gave them the gift of staying in touch with loved ones, maintaining many meaningful relationships created over the years and across the miles. Marion's final few years were spent inspiring her congregation and her neighbors in assisted living, occasionally playing boogie woogie piano and reading with her great grandchildren, completing jigsaw puzzles, walking along the beach path, and loving everyone that God brought into her life. Surely, Jesus met her with "Well done, my good and faithful precious daughter, Marion!"

Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin, her son, Walter, and her granddaughter, Michele. She was also the last of her generation for our family, preceded in death by her sisters, Tommie and Beth, and Calvin's siblings, Floydene and Walter. She is survived by: son, David Partain(Marlyn); daughter-in-law, Sheryl Partain; daughter, Paula Petersen(Jeff); seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren. What a blessing it has been to call this Proverbs 31 woman our mother, grandmother, great grandmother. We look forward to seeing her again in heaven!

Please join us in celebrating Marion's life and legacy at Boyer Funeral Home, Seminole, Texas on March 21, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. (lunch and fellowship following) or plan to stream the service via this link (will be added here later). For more information, please contact Marion's daughter, Paula Petersen, via email: jnppetersen@gmail.com or via Facebook messenger.

Pictures and Videos:
Marion's Life in Pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PReRwiRZd56ru96w7

Piano with Kyla: https://photos.app.goo.gl/D3ajQjzU6wPBo51bA

Marion & the Twins: https://photos.app.goo.gl/gU6c3fSeXvXjBCFL6

Marion's Cornbread Dressing: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QPDWBRazsssQrakUA