Late in the evening of August 22nd, 2020, Marland Sabree went home to be with the Lord after a
courageous battle with breast cancer. Marland life story is one of perseverance, uncanny strength, and
unwavering love. She began her life journey on January 28th, 1955 in Akron, Ohio with her twin brother
Garland. Marland was raised by her mother, Helen, in a loving environment where she learned the value
of hard work and love of family, the kind of place where “cousins” were thought as just as close as
brothers and sisters.

Marland’s strong belief in God and a positive spirit helped her navigate and persevere through the
highest of highs and the lowest of lows without a breath of complaint or want of pity. At the young age
of 19 she dealt with the heart wrenching loss of her twin brother Garland but persevered through it to
complete her degree at Kent State University. She worked hard in the food management arena while
building the foundations of her life. But the greatest foundation of her life was her family, which she
cherished above all else.

Over the years Marland held various management positions in the food service, however, the position
she was the proudest of, was being the mother to Byron and Robert. Marland took on the role of both
mother and father with a dedication and fierceness that was a wonder to see. No matter how long she
had to work or what personal setback she may have experienced, she always made time for her family.
Teaching her boys to play catch in the front yard, making every band performance, every ETC Show
Choir show, every choir concert and every baseball game were her top priority. Her support was
unwavering. She was known to be the costume mom who would sew together vests in the back of vans
on the way to a performance, or the catcher to help practice the fast ball. No matter the task, she rose
to the challenge with both grace and resiliency. As her boys grew into men, she shifted her role from
one of costume mom to being her sons’ most trusted advisor and confidant. Marland was always there
with gentle words of encouragement or pearls of hard-earned wisdom to anyone who needed a
listening ear. She loved visiting her boys at their homes and watching their lives develop. She took
immense joy from babysitting her granddaughter Gabby, who knew her as “Gigi”, and whose laugh
Marland regarded as “The best sound in the whole world”. Whenever asked how she was able to deal
with so much personal tragedy as she had over the years with her failing health and loss of loved ones,
she would simply say “I have my boys, that’s all I need”. In God’s grace and mercy, he allowed her to
pass from the this earthly realm the only way she would have wanted, with her boys at her side.
Although she left this earth sooner than she wanted, she leaves behind an enduring legacy of love and
strength that will be felt for generations.

Marland departs this world and leaves behind her beloved sons, Byron (Ashley) Sabree and Robert (Rebecca) Sabree, precious granddaughter Gabriella, and a host
of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. She will be welcomed into the heavenly gates
by her mother Alice Helen Carter and her brothers Garland Bell, Adrian Bell and Percy Spruill.