Julia Anne Marsh

Julia Chriscoe Marsh, formerly of Seagrove, ended her journey on Sept. 28, 2025, at Alpine Health and Rehab, with her firstborn and only daughter by her side. Her 87 years were marked by graciousness, good humor and resiliency, which allowed her to experience great joys despite great losses. With her spirit set free like one of her beloved hummingbirds, Julia now re-unites with her beloved sons Curtis Marsh and Tim Marsh, who preceded her in death.

She will also be rejoining her large first family, all of whom left this world before her. Julia was born July 20, 1938, the youngest of the seven children of Walter and Laura Rose Chriscoe, Her brothers were Broadus Chriscoe, Colwell Chriscoe, John Wesley Chriscoe, and Bobby Neal Chriscoe. Her sisters were Vera C. Jenkins and Kathleen C. Whatley.

Julia graduated from Seagrove High School where she played three-on-three basketball at the old gym with wood stoves at each end that athletes had to avoid when doing layups. After graduation, she showed she was never afraid of hard work, maintaining various jobs to help support her growing family, including as a secretary for Lowe's Hardware in North Asheboro, or using her sewing skills at Becky's Handbags or as a supervisor for sewing at BB Walker's. Julia was a gifted singer, and her love for music was channeled into devotion to her favorite singer Elvis. Like other good cooks, she seemed to work from instinct rather than written recipes, so the instructions for her much-coveted baked beans were never quite as good when someone else made them, perhaps her intentions. She loved all things NCIS — especially that Mark Harmon.

As a loving mom, Julia set a 12 a.m. curfew for her kids with the insistence, "Nothing good happens after midnight," but showed her good humor when they responded that she must not know where to look. The passing years did not fade her love for pink and purple, but they did seem to expand her creativity. Julia used looms to make toboggans for those in need as a way to honor the sons she lost, but during warmer months, she enjoyed intricate coloring sheets. Her extensive Santa collection was a source of joy, although it could not rival that of Don Rakes, who visited his "Gladys Petunia" each Wednesday. Julia was content with a slow and steady pace of life, unless she was driving and her lead foot seemed to have a mind of its own. Her expansive heart sometimes led her to be a mother to all, including her children's friends, her grandkids, or any child — or adult — who needed some attention or baby sitting.

Julia leaves behind many family members, both blood and those she welcomed into her life, to recall her memory with laughter and tears, including daughter Debbie (Doug) Wise of Seagrove; and her son Randy (Martha) Marsh of Asheboro. Her grandchildren, the lights of her life, are Alex (Ashley) Wise, John (Brooke) Wise, Shannon (Brock) Morton, Michelle (Munsey) Crigger, all of Asheboro; Jenny (Mark) Leuchte of Sanford; Garrett (Kelly) Kinley of Seagrove, Kendra Cox of New York and Ben Cox of Washington D.C. She was proud to be a great grandmother to Cara, Jessica, Lyndsie and Haley; Dylan (Megan), Mady and Gabriella; Mason and Addison (Carmen); Joshua (Holly) and Donovan; Emmett and Ruth; and Austin (Sara), Breanna (Matt) both of North Carolina, Kaylee (Brian) of Idaho, and Cody (Karlee) of Washington State; a great-great grandma to Cara's (and Andrew’s) boys Ace and Jackson, and Mady’s four, Elena, Adelina, Leo, and Azaria, plus a couple in the works from Alex and Ashley, and Addison and Carmen. She also is survived by a small army of much-loved nieces and nephews and their still-growing families.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. Funeral services will be Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Midstate Cremation and Funeral Service with burial to follow at Union Grove Baptist Church in Seagrove with the Rev. Richard Routh officiating. 
In keeping with Julia's generous spirit, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice or Elevate Alpine. The family extends their thanks and respect to the entire Alpine staff, with special hugs of gratitude for caretaker Jessica Neel and Julia's granddaughter Shannon for the loving care she received during her final months.

The family would also like to thank Jane Braswell for her expertise capturing our Mother’s spirit on paper as we remember her in our hearts.