Mrs. Marilyn Irene Ferikes

March 1, 1948 - March 1, 2019

Marilyn Irene Ferikes passed away at the age of 71 on her birthday, March 1, 2019, from the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease. A native of Asheville, she was the daughter of the late Nathanial Prince Maddux and Avenelle Rose Maddux, as well as the oldest of six children. Marilyn graduated from North Buncombe High School, then left for Atlanta where she worked as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines. While in Atlanta, she met her husband and soulmate Joe, also an Asheville native, even though they did not know each other while growing up in Asheville. Joe and Marilyn moved back to Asheville in 1984. After Eastern Airlines went bankrupt in 1991, Marilyn went back to school for photography and became an accomplished photographer. She won many awards for her photography, including a series of photographs of the dignified ladies of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. Marilyn always wanted to continue her education and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from UNCA one day after her daughter Stassa received her Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State. Marilyn and Joe were blessed with two children, Stassa and Alex. She was extremely proud to watch both of them grow and become professionals—Stassa an ER Veterinarian and Alex an Orthopaedic Surgeon. Marilyn is survived by her husband Joe, daughter Stassa (Jon), son Alex (Tiana), four grandchildren; Lincoln, Penelope, Theo, and one more on the way; sisters Busy (Bobby) and Natalie; brothers Mike (Carla), and David (Charles); and ten nieces and nephews. Trisagion services and visitation will be held at Morris Funeral Home on Merrimon Avenue on Sunday March 3, from 5 to 6pm. The funeral services and burial at Riverside Cemetery will take place at the Greek Orthodox Church at 227 Cumberland Ave at 11am on Monday, March 4, 2019. Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation or to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church whose members she loved and cherished. www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com