Marion Gordon Magruder

On the morning of October 27, 2025, Marion Gordon Magruder left us peacefully to be with God, our Lord and Savior at the age of 98. She was born and raised in Richmond, Va. to Carl Elridge Gordon and Edith Ambrose Hargrove on January 9th, 1927. She lived most of her life in the Richmond area where she married her husband Clarence (Mac) H. Magruder and they raised their only child, Clarence (Buster) H. Magruder, Jr.

After the passing of her husband, she lived a quiet life full of grace and a deep caring for her family, neighbors and friends. She loved caring for her beautiful violets and the many orchids her dear nieces brought to her as well as seeing and taking short trips with family and friends. Marion was a member of The Church of Epiphany, a church she enjoyed attending for many years, while she was able to do so with her family. Even when she moved away, she always enjoyed receiving the many bulletins the Church sent to her regularly.

Although we all greatly miss her, we certainly all have many fond memories of “Grandma” and the rest of the family being together for the holidays sharing wonderful conversation around the family meals. The delicious dishes she made in her small kitchen were always great hits. Of course, this got harder for her as years passed, but somehow, she usually managed to make the old favorites in the same kitchen she had cooked in for so many decades. We couldn’t count how many times she always said it wasn’t big enough to “cuss a cat in”. (She probably got a kick out of ALL of us almost fighting over who was fortunate enough to take home her left overs!)

There were many loved ones who helped to shape her life in so many ways. She was preceded in death by several dear loved ones such as her parents, Carl and Edith Gordon, her husband “Mac” Magruder, granddaughter Lisa Marie Magruder as well as her sister Joyce Whitlock, brother-in-law Pete Whitlock and Carl (Ski) Whitlock.

Marion had several highlights and milestones that brought her great joy and pride. In her earlier years, Marion graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Then later, she was proud to join the industrial world by working as a supervisor at Duplex Envelope Co. where she worked for many years and was awarded several gold items in appreciation of her achievements. Marion had many cute quirks that we all grew to love about her that should also be included under great milestones but ones that she never liked to celebrate very much. She came from a time when ladies didn’t like to share their age and in fact no one would dare to even ask it of them. So, when she reached those big milestones in age, one by one, she would never let the family celebrate them in any way at all, other than that of the quietness of a personal visit, phone calls or birthday cards but we are so fortunate that God blessed her…and us, with her being here for 98 years.

She had many great times going out to breakfast with her sister Joyce and on shopping trips with her nieces and her sister. She also loved traveling up in the mountains on family excursions with them as well as her lunches at the Cheese Cake Factory and of course those wonderful weekly meals with her sister’s family.

Marion came up with the idea many years ago when she was married to “Mac”, that she might possibly have Jewish ancestors. Not only did that idea stay with her, but she began to think SHE was Jewish also. And just the idea of it can’t help but make us all smile, when we think of the many times she spoke of it.

Marion is survived by her son, “Buster” Magruder, (Janet) from Farmville, as well as two grandsons, Richard S. Magruder, Eric H. Magruder (Tracy), six great grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, two special nieces and one nephew.

Her beloved son “Buster” was most definitely her greatest pride and joy. She loved his and Janet’s visits and calls to her where she could hear of all the comings and goings of any activities they were involved in as well as that of other family members.

In the last few years of her life, she lived in The Woodland (Assisted Living Facility), to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law. There she met many new friends that she enjoyed chatting with daily, especially during meal time. Several special friends were always checking on her to see how she was doing and their great kindnesses will never be forgotten.

A graveside service will be held on December 4th at 3 PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery located at 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, Va. 23222. Rev. Kristen Wickersham from The Church of the Epiphany will be officiating.