Marla Jaye Mitchell Grady, 58, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 20, 2022. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at home. A Celebration of Marla's life will take place on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the West Craven High School Auditorium at 11:00 a. m. The interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Goldsboro, NC, at 4:00 p. m. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 24, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 p. m. at Wilkerson Funeral Home in Vanceboro, NC. Marla, daughter of Jim and Ramona Mitchell, was born on April 24, 1964, in Goldsboro, NC. She attended Eastern Wayne High School, then graduated from Atlantic Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education. She later obtained her Master's Degree in Music Education from East Carolina University. Marla was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Epworth, NC, where she enjoyed singing and playing the piano. Marla retired with thirty years of teaching chorus for Craven County Schools. She taught music appreciation, piano, and was the piano accompanist for Encore Ensemble at Craven Community College where she was recognized as Adjunct Teacher of the year for 2021-2022. Marla poured her heart into teaching music and deeply loved her students. Her passion for music was contagious. Marla also served as the Director for the Southern Gentlemen Barbershop Quartet and as an accompanist for several high schools in the area. During her free time, she enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time on the water. Marla also loved spending time with her friends and going on adventures. Her greatest joy and accomplishment was being mother to her daughter, Macey. She was extremely proud of Macey's accomplishments throughout her education and career as a trauma ICU nurse at Duke University Hospital. Marla portrayed her love for her Savior in every one of her relationships by pouring her whole heart into everyone and everything she did. Marla was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Matthew "Rick" Grady, Jr. ; grandparents, Paul and Ruby Mitchell and Ottis and Pearl Barrow; father-in-law, Richard Matthew Grady, Sr. Marla is survived by her daughter, Macey Lauren Arrington of Raleigh; parents, James and Ramona Mitchell of Goldsboro; brother, Clint Mitchell of New Bern; mother-in-law, Clara Grady of Goldsboro; and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Gentlemen Barbershop Quartet at Barbershop Chorus, PO Box 14091, New Bern, NC 28562 or to Epworth United Methodist Church, PO Box 643, Vanceboro, NC 28586.