Marjorie Rosan Priest

Marjorie Rosan (Best) Priest passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at the fabulous age of 95 years.  She was born on August 13, 1924 in Northwest Township in Williams County, Ohio to Lester & Zola (Flickinger) Best.  She graduated from Montpelier High School in Montpelier, Ohio and from Tri-State College in Angola, Indiana.  Marjorie often called “Marge” or “Margie” by her friends and family, was married to Russell Priest on June 6, 1947 and they resided in Toledo, Ohio until Russell transferred with National Supply Company, a division of Armco Steel Corporation to Gainesville, Texas in 1959.

Marjorie was predeceased by her husband, Russell Priest and two sisters, Joan (Best) Nolin and Meredith Sue Best and a brother, Don Best.  She is survived by her children, John Priest and daughter-in-law, Pat Priest of Dallas and Jane (Priest) Woolston and son-in-law, David Woolston of Double Oak, Texas, two grandchildren Russell Priest of Dallas and Audrey (Priest) Schmeltz and her husband, Thomas Schmeltz of Dallas, one brother, Dr. James Best and his wife, Peggy Best of Columbus, Ohio and two sisters, Charlotte (Best) Culler of Bryan, Ohio and Phyllis (Best)  Koesterman and her husband George Koesterman of Cincinnati, Ohio, two sisters-in-laws, Connie Smith and Sally Priest, both of Montpelier, Ohio and several nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Marjorie was known for her delicious homemade pies and volunteering as the Treasurer of the Friends of the Library, Sunday school teacher for 14 years of the kindergarten class, leader of Camp Fire Girls for 11 years, working at the Opti-Mrs. Club resale store and working at the Second Time Around store.  Since 1964 she was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Gainesville.  She loved to travel with Russell and later with her friends to various places such as Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Italy, England, Hawaii and Alaska to name a few.  Marge Priest of the Bobby Pins took top single game honors for the season rolling a 255 game in league play and the effort was the best single game ever rolled by a woman at 77 Bowl.  She enjoyed watching sports, going to the theatre, playing bridge and being physically active by swimming and aerobics.

A celebration of Marjorie’s life will be held at 2 pm, on Sunday, January 26 ^th , at the First United Methodist Church – 214 S. Denton, Gainesville, TX 76240 with Reverends John Fleming and Kathy Nations.  Memorial donations in memory of Marjorie can be made to First United Methodist Church, Friends of the Library (Gainesville, TX) or Boys & Girls Club.