Marjorie Juanita Rieben Verner

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Marjorie Juanita Rieben Verner, 86, of Crossroads, Alabama, died Oct. 21 from Parkinson's disease at Oakwood Nursing Home in Bay Minette.

Her goal was to be a missionary so she obtained an R.N. degree at Mather School of Nursing. While in New Orleans, Lousiana, Marjorie met her future husband, Walter E. Verner of Texas.

The couple were commissioned as missionaries by the Southern Baptist Convention, and in 1958 went to Ghana, West Africa. The couple were instrumental in founding the Ghana Baptist Seminary at Abuakwa where Marjorie combined roles of school nurse, teacher, musician, wife and mother. Mission activities included prison ministry, nursing, WMU, children's ministry and more.

After retirement in 1993, Marjorie completed a B.S. in nursing from William Carey College and the couple retired to Fairhope, Alabama. As faithful members of First Baptist Church, Marjorie taught a ladies Sunday school class for 20-plus years and shared God's love through bible studies, hospital "goodie" bags and homemade jams.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, Nora and Beverly Rieben; and brothers, Albert and Everett Rieben.

She is survived by her husband, Gene Verner; son, Daryl; daughter, Robbie Wood (Richard); sister, June Windham (A.V.); and brother, Ray Rieben.

Marjorie was a witness for her Lord, helping people both in Ghana and this country. She is missed but not forgotten.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope, at 10 a.m.

The family will begin receiving friends at 9 a.m. until time of service.

Interment will follow in Memory Gardens of Fairhope.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to First Baptist Church, Fairhope for the Brazil Missions Designated Fund or for Mrs. Verner's Sunday school class for their mission efforts, phone 251-928-8685.

Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 19698 Greeno Road, Fairhope, AL 36532, 251-990-7775, www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.