Marjean Torrence

Marjean “Jean” Torrence of Davidson died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, at 10:30 p.m. at her home. She was 75. A service was held Monday, Nov. 22, at Davidson Presbyterian Church.

She was born in Mecklenburg County Nov. 5, 1935, the daughter of the late John Torrence and Ruby Reid Torrence. She was a 1954 graduate of Torrence Lytle High School, Huntersville, and attended La Maye Beauty School in Winston-Salem. On May 18, 2000, she graduated with 12 north Mecklenburg women from the 2000 Community Leadership and Family Advocacy Program at Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte.

For many years, she worked as a hair stylist for family and friends. She was a teacher assistant at the American Legion Mother’s Morning Out Child Care Program and Ada Jenkins After School Tutorial Program in Davidson.

Her favorite pastime and employment was to become the first African-American news correspondent for the weekly Mecklenburg Gazette in Davidson. She loved sharing the joys of marriages, family reunions, church and community events. She also had fond memories of her work as a teacher assistant at the first Bethlehem Center Head Start Program at Ada Jenkins Center.

Miss Torrence served on numerous town and community advisory committees and boards, including the town Parks & Recreation Board, where she helped in the development of Roosevelt Wilson Park.

She faithfully served at Davidson Presbyterian Church as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, member of the pastor’s nominating committee and choir, and she participated in Christian education training through Charlotte Presbytery. She was the most prepared primary class teacher for Community Vacation Bible School for many hears. She remained a faithful churchgoer until her health failed.

Miss Torrence was a charter member of the Osie B. Ferguson Chapter of the Eastern Star and its very first Worthy Matron.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, and sisters Mildred T. Donaldson and Vennie T. Moore.

She leaves behind Arthur Gene Davis, a special companion and soul mate; one son, Coleman Moore of Polkton, N.C.; a sister, Bernice T. Houston of Davidson; three grandchildren, Shacoya Guess and Massiah Graham, both of Charlotte, and Brandon Mobley, of Cornelius. She also leaves a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; two special lifetime classmates and friends, Annie Lou Ethridge of New York and Fannie Mae Scales of Greensboro.

Arrangements were handled by W.H. Bryant, A.E. Grier & Sons Funeral Home, Mooresville, 704-696-2603.